FicWad

The imposing structure of Percy's mansion was a stark contrast to the warmth and coziness of the Burrow, represented the vast distance that had grown between them and their son. It was hard to reconcile the Percy they had known with the man who now lived in such opulence, driven by ambitions they could hardly comprehend. But they were here for a reason far more important than their differences. They were here to finally meet their granddaughter, Ember.

As Arthur and Molly approached the door, it swung open to reveal Aleksander and Rebecca Clearwater, Penelope’s parents, who greeted them with warm smiles.

"Arthur, Molly, thank you for coming," Aleksander said, shaking Arthur’s hand firmly. "Please, come inside. We’ve been looking forward to this."

Molly managed a small, polite smile as they were led into the grand foyer, but she couldn’t help the tightness in her chest. The house was beautiful, but it felt cold and impersonal, a far cry from the lively, cluttered home where they had raised their children. Still, she pushed those thoughts aside as Rebecca ushered them into a sitting room, where a small crib was set up near the window.

Molly’s breath caught as she approached the crib, her heart pounding in her chest. There, nestled in soft blankets, was Ember.

Tiny, perfect, with a tuft of red hair that was unmistakably Weasley. Molly felt tears welling up as she gently reached out to touch the baby’s hand, which curled around her finger in a tiny, but strong grip. Arthur stood beside her, his own eyes misting over as he looked down at his granddaughter, filled with a mix of pride and sorrow.

"She’s beautiful," Molly whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "She looks so much like Percy did when he was a baby."

Arthur nodded, unable to speak, his throat tight with the overwhelming emotions coursing through him. He had always wanted to see Percy as a father, had hoped that it would bring them closer together, but now it felt like that dream was slipping further and further away.

After a few moments, Penelope entered the room, looking tired and drawn, the stress of the past few weeks evident in the shadows under her eyes. She greeted Arthur and Molly with a small, strained smile, her movements stiff as she sat down across from them.

Molly, still holding Ember’s tiny hand, looked up at Penelope with concern. "Penelope, dear, have you been to see Percy? I know it must be hard, but he needs you."

Penelope’s face tightened at the mention of Percy, and she looked away, unable to meet Molly’s gaze.

"I…I can’t," she admitted, her voice trembling. "I’m too afraid to see him like that. He’s changed so much, and after everything…I don’t know if I can face it."

Arthur exchanged a worried glance with Molly before turning to Penelope. "Penelope, I know it’s difficult. Percy’s been through so much, and he’s made some choices that have hurt all of us. But he’s still the father of your child, and he needs you now more than ever."

Penelope shook her head, tears spilling over as she struggled to explain her fear. "You don’t understand. The last time I saw him, he was so… different. He’s not the same man I fell in love with, and I’m terrified that I won’t recognize him when I see him again. And what if… what if he doesn’t recognize me?"

Molly reached out to take Penelope’s hand, squeezing it gently. "He will, Penelope. Deep down, Percy is still there. He’s still the man you love, the father of your child. He just needs time to heal, and he needs to know that you’re there for him."

Penelope wiped her tears away, nodding slightly, though her fear remained palpable. "I just…I don’t know if I’m strong enough."

Arthur leaned forward, his voice gentle but firm.

"You are, Penelope. You’re stronger than you think. Percy has been through hell, and he’s still fighting. But he can’t do it alone. He needs you, just as much as you need him."

The room fell into a heavy silence, the weight of Penelope’s decision hanging in the air. Finally, she nodded again, more resolutely this time. "I’ll try," she whispered. "For Ember…and for Percy."

Molly smiled encouragingly, though the sadness in her eyes was clear. "That’s all any of us can do."

Meanwhile, back at St. Mungo’s Hospital, Fred, George, Ron, and Ginny quietly entered Percy’s room, their hearts heavy with the sight that greeted them. Their brother, once so proud and confident, lay motionless on the bed, his body frail and covered in bandages. The drastic changes to his appearance were shocking. His once bright red hair was now darker, his face gaunt, and his skin pale from the grueling matches he had endured.

A nurse was adjusting his IV drip and turned to the siblings with a kind smile. "He’s recovering faster than we expected," she said softly. "He’s a fighter."

Fred and George exchanged a glance, their usual humor nowhere to be found. They had always been the ones to make light of situations, to bring a smile to their family’s faces, but this… this was different. They had made the mistake of watching Percy’s matches in the Triple J-Crown Tournament, and what they had seen haunted them. The brutality, the pain Percy had endured, was beyond anything they had imagined. It wasn’t just the physical injuries—it was the emotional toll that worried them the most.

Ron stepped closer to the bed, his throat tight as he looked down at his brother. He had spent so much time being angry with Percy, resenting him for his perceived arrogance and distance. But seeing him like this, Ron realized how much he had missed Percy, how much he had taken their relationship for granted.

"Percy…" Ron’s voice cracked as he struggled to find the right words. "We were idiots. I was an idiot. I’m sorry…for everything."

Ginny, who had been standing silently by the door, finally spoke up, her voice trembling. "You were always there for us, Percy. Even when we didn’t appreciate it. You took care of us when we were little, and we…we just pushed you away. I’m so sorry."

Fred and George, usually so in sync, were uncharacteristically quiet as they each took a seat beside the bed. "We were prats," Fred admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "We gave you such a hard time, and… and now we don’t even know if you’re going to be okay."

George nodded, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. "But we’re here now, Percy. We’re here, and we’re not going anywhere."

The room fell into a somber silence as the four siblings sat around Percy’s bed, each lost in their own thoughts. They had all spent so much time talking about how much of a prat Percy was, convincing themselves that he wasn’t worth the heartache. But deep down, they knew the truth—Percy had always been important to them, more than they had ever wanted to admit.

He had been a constant in their lives, always there when they needed him, even if they hadn’t recognized it at the time. And now, seeing him like this, they realized just how much they had lost by pushing him away.

As the nurse quietly left the room, giving them some privacy, Fred, George, Ron, and Ginny exchanged a glance, a silent agreement passing between them. They might not have been there for Percy when he needed them most, but they were here now, and they would be there for him as he fought his way back.

No matter how long it took, no matter how hard it was, they would be by his side.