Percy awoke with the sun shining in his face. He stretched his arms way in the air and then he crawled out of bed. He cleaned himself up and dressed himself in some clean clothes. He left his room and walked downstairs to the smell of eggs and sausage. His mother, Molly Weasley, had been cooking breakfast for everyone. Percy also noticed another individual who happened to be talking to his mother. The person had long red hair, pulled back, and Percy realized this person had to be no other than his older brother, Charlie Weasley.
Percy walked into the kitchen and sat down at the kitchen table. “Good morning, mum.” Percy said, taking a seat at the table.
Mrs. Weasley and Charlie turned around. “Good morning dear.” She said, walking over to him and handing him a cup of tea.
“Thanks mum.” Percy said, taking a sip of the tea.
Charlie looked at his brother. “What? No hello for your brother?” He asked, smirking.
“Hello Charlie,” said Percy, giving him a slight grin. “So what are you doing here?” He asked.
“The dragons kind of hibernate in the winter so I thought I would come visit,” Charlie explained.
Percy nodded and then noise came from upstairs like someone had been stirring. Charlie looked up at the ceiling and then turned his gaze to Percy. “Who else is here right now?” He asked curiously as his mother obviously didn’t fill him in about the other houseguests.
“George and Annie.” Percy replied, taking another sip of his tea.
Charlie raised an eyebrow at Percy. “Annie?” He questioned.
“Yeah. Annie from when I was little.” Percy answered.
Charlie nodded. “I remember her. Maybe I’ll go up and say hi.” He said.
Percy nodded, but he wondered why Charlie even cared. Then again, maybe he had been paranoid about the situation so he watched Charlie leave and head upstairs anyways.
Charlie Weasley had not changed much over the years. He still had his trademark hair, which remained long and pulled back; the way Mrs. Weasley had never liked it. Scorch marks and slight burns decorated his skin from working with dragons. He had become used to his skin feeling like a rough canvas and looking like a weird painting. Regardless of his imperfect skin, Charlie Weasley remained handsome and he loved his job.
After climbing a few stairs, Charlie finally reached Annie’s room. He raised his masculine arm and knocked on the door, causing several loud thuds. “Come in.” He heard a woman on the other side of the door say. Charlie slowly opened the door to see the blonde-haired beauty standing there in a pair of jeans and a pink t-shirt with her leg crossed over the other, trying to put on a sock. Unfortunately, she lost her balance and fell over onto the floor.
Charlie rushed over to her, but Annie laid on the floor laughing. Charlie smiled at first and then he chuckled. “That was pretty funny.” He stated, offering his hand to her. She took his hand and Charlie pulled her up.
“I see you’ve come to join us trouble makers.” Annie stated, grinning.
“Of course,” smirked Charlie. He hugged Annie and then pulled away. “It’s really good to see you again.”
“It’s really good to see you too, although I wouldn’t remember as much from when we were kids as you would.” She explained, giving Charlie a weak smile.
“You know, I know more about you, regardless of our childhood,” said Charlie, as if Annie knew exactly what he had been referring to. “They don’t know do they?”
Annie shook her head. “No they don’t.” She replied, looking guilty of something.
“It’s better they don’t. They haven’t gotten to know you like I have,” confessed Charlie before he walked towards the door. He stopped and turned around once he reached the doorway. “I really did miss you, Annie Macnair.” He stated before leaving her room.
Annie hated that last name and she always refused to use it. She used her mother’s maiden name when it came to introducing herself to others. Charlie Weasley had gotten to know her better than anyone else during the years she didn’t live in England. He had been one of the few people who truly knew who she had been and Annie planned on keeping it that way.
Annie finished dressing before heading downstairs. Everyone’s eyes appeared to be upon her, including Mrs. Weasley’s boys: Percy, Charlie, and George. Mrs. Weasley smiled as she noticed this because she wanted her sons to settle down and be happy, but most of all, she really liked Annie and wanted her to be a part of the family.
George Weasley appeared behind Annie from out of thin air and put his arm around her. “Good morning.” He smiled mischievously.
“What do you want?” She asked, smiling because she knew he was up to something.
“What makes you think I’m up to something?” He asked, trying to play innocent.
“You’re always up to something, George.”
“Good point,” he smirked. “I’m opening the shop today and I need a lot of help and did I mention I would pay?”
Annie just shook her head and tried to suppress her laughter because of George’s behavior. “Of course I will help you. You don’t even need to really ask.” She replied.
George picked Annie up and spun her around. “You’re the best!” He exclaimed before setting her back down.
Percy watched and he couldn’t help but notice the smile on Annie’s face. He wondered why his brothers appeared to act differently when she was around. “Do they see something I don’t?” He thought. “She was my childhood friend and now its like she’s everyone’s best friend.”
“How about you two?” George asked, looking to Charlie and Percy for answers.
“I’m in,” answered Charlie. “I’ve got nothing better to do.”
“And you?” George asked, now looking just at Percy.
“Sure.” He answered, not wanting to leave Annie with his brothers and be stuck at home with his mother.
“Let’s go then.” George demanded, talking to his three volunteers.
“But you haven’t even ate breakfast yet!” Mrs. Weasley exclaimed.
“No wonder he has to pay us then.” Annie joked.
George grinned at her and laughed. This scene made Percy feel uneasy. He started to think the two were flirting.
One-by-one, the four of them apparated to Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes without eating any breakfast. Once they arrived at the shop, George gave everyone a job to do. Charlie and Percy were in charge of stocking the shelves while Annie and George would help customers. Charlie and Percy even had to stock some Christmas products, which included wreaths that continuously changed shapes instead of being round, candy cane wands, and Christmas cards with funny little sayings.
“You like her don’t you?” Charlie whispered to his brother Percy while they stocked some of the ridiculous Christmas items.
“Why do you ask that?” He asked, shocked by the question.
“I’ve been here less than a day and I can see how you look at her, especially when George and I talk to her.” Charlie explained obviously giving it some thought.
“I haven’t thought about it to be honest.” Percy stated, remembering the kiss he shared with Annie, which meant he really had thought about it even if it were just slightly.
“There is more to her then meets the eye,” stated Charlie. “If you want her, I suggest you make a move before George does.”
Percy turned from his brother Charlie and looked at his other brother. His heart sank as he witnessed Annie and George laughing again. He couldn’t grasp the feeling he had, but he knew Charlie was right. He would have to make a move soon if he were to keep George from making a move.
The rest of the day at the shop seemed to go by rather quickly. The shop had been filled with tons of customers because of the holiday sale. Percy tried to work hard, but every time he received a free moment, he would glance at Annie. He watched her as she helped a little boy find some items he wanted. Percy couldn’t help but smile since it was the cutest thing he ever saw when it came to Annie.
At this exact moment, three owls flew into the shop, carrying a letter and disrupting Percy’s thought. The owls dropped a letter in front of Percy, George, and Annie. Percy grabbed his and ripped it open before he began to read it.
Dear Percival Weasley,
As required by law, all deaths at the Battle of Hogwarts have been examined by expert Aurors. We have learned who may be responsible for the death of your brother, Fredrik Weasley. Since you were an eyewitness to his death, you are being summoned to a trial tomorrow for the sentencing of Walden Macnair, the Death Eater in question. Please arrive at the Ministry of Magic by 10:00 AM sharp.
Kingsley Shacklebolt
Minster of Magic
Percy’s heart sank after he read his letter. He remembered the horrible moment in his mind. He had made a joke and Fred laughed. The two of them rarely laughed together like that and the moment had been ruined by rubble; rubble that fell down upon Fred, taking away every glimpse of life from his body. Percy remembered perfectly how Fred’s eyes stared blankly at nothing, and yet he had a slight smile on his face. Percy never understood how something so dead and cold could show emotion like that.
Percy tried to hold back his emotions as he looked at his brother George. The expression on George’s face told Percy that Fred’s death haunted him also. “Mine is from the Ministry.” Percy stated, looking at George.
George looked at Percy, holding back tears in his eyes. “Mine too.” He said.
“I don’t understand why they’re blaming Macnair. Rubble fell on Fred. It’s what killed him.” Percy stated.
A tear rolled down George’s cheek. “Someone still cast the spell that caused the rubble to fall.” He explained.
Percy nodded and then turned to Annie who he remembered had received a letter also. He noticed her eyes were wide and full of fear. “Why did you receive a letter?” He asked.
All eyes were on her. “They summoned me to the trial.” She answered.
“You were at the final battle, but you didn’t see Fred die,” stated Percy, confused by the situation. “Why would they want you there then?”
Annie looked at Percy and George guiltily while Charlie appeared calm during this whole conversation like nothing surprised him.
Right then and there, in that moment, Annie confessed her biggest, darkest, secret. “Walden Macnair is my father.”
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