Who's that Girl?
Charlie didn't have to think hard about where he should search for Percy. It was pretty obvious that the ministry was a potential hiding place. Well, not actually a hiding place but a place where Percy can be in.
Maybe, Percy was too drown in his work to visit his Brother's funeral? No... no, that sounds wrong, he thought.
The Ministry was still going through some renovations. Charlie and Bill arrived at the 1st floor. Charlie asked the lady at the front about Percy.
The woman was skeptical,"So, let me get this clear you are looking for a 'Percival Ignatius...W' wait I think he's been disowned. He's not in the Weasley family tree."
Bill and Charlie shared a look. Bill said,"Look, for now please tell us whether he's here or not."
The woman gave him an irritated look,"He is one of the employees who haven't returned to the Ministry after war?"
Charlie became worried. "Percy! The Percy who loved his job so much hasn't returned to work yet! How is this possible?" He thought.
The woman had a look of annoyance on her face,"Look I don't know what he has done. But, I am seriously so annoyed. Everyone's asking about his whereabouts. You two are the 2nd person searching for him today."
Bill asked,"Wait.. who else is searching for him?"
The lady told them the name of a girl, Eveline Cornwell. The name was unknown to both Charlie and Bill. They couldn't figure out why she was searching for Percy.
The lady called the two Wessleys again. This time she pointed at a girl and muttered,"That's the one."
Bill might have a quarter Veela as a wife but he was kind of a mess when it came to talking with girls he didn't know. Charlie, knowing his brother, approached the girl.
"Excuse me! May I talk to you for a minute?"
The girl looked up. The moment Charlie saw her he thought that she looked familiar. However, no matter how hard he tried he couldn't remember where he saw her.
The brunette girl looked, no... stared at Charlie's soul. Well, no literally but Percy felt like she did that. She looked exhausted? Tired? He couldn't really tell.
Afterwhat seemed like a few minutes, she said,"Ah.. a ginger head.. I think you and that guy behind you are Weasleys?"
Bill came forward and nodded
She continued,"Finally!!!," she smiled,"Listen , I am looking for that brother of yours, Percival? I don't know whether he's still your brother or not. Pretty sure that lady over there said that he was disowned."
"Was that lady really telling everyone about Percy being disowned?" Charlie thought.
As if on cue, the girl said,"Yeah, that lady is pretty horrible. She loves to gossip. Whatever, I am Eveline by the way. Look, Percival is my aunt's tenant. It's not really my business but my aunt's going crazy. He hasn't returned to his apartment for last one month, not that I or my aunt cares. But.. he HAS NOT paid one month's rent too!"
"First, that girl talks a lot and once she starts she never stops talking."Charlie thought. "Second, Percy didn't go home for last one month?"
Bill asked the same question to her,"One month? He's not been home for one month? Are you sure?"
She nodded,"That's what my old lady's saying."
Both Bill and Charlie remained silent. The Girl sighed,"Can I go now?"
Charlie nodded. The Girl turned to leave but he called her again,"Wait.. he leaves in London, right?"
"Last time I checked? Yes, he does or did. I don't really know Where's he now."
Bill and Charlie returned home being disappointed. There was no traces of Percy at all.
2 days later
Charlie could hear Ginny calling him,"CHARLIE! There's a letter for you."
He screamed,"From who?"
She replied,"There's no name."
Charlie got down from his room. He opened the letter.
It's me,Eveline. I actually had some news about your brother,Percival. He actually.. actually its my aunt's fault. Apparently, before the war he wanted a place to hide. She told him about a Muggle area where he could leave without any worries.
I am sorry this letter is so informal. But, if you want, I can take him to you. Just send a letter to me. I mean give the letter to Hamilton (the owl who delivered you the letter).
We can meet at Hogsmade.
Charlie looked outside the window and saw a beautiful owl. He sent two letters, one to Eveline and another to Bill.
Bill had already joined his work. So, Charlie thought he should go without Bill.
The Burrow was different nowadays. It was difficult to know what everyone was doing. Everyone seemed to mind their own business.
Charlie didn't have to try hard to sneak out of the house. He found Eveline infront of a shop. Without any greetings, she told him,"It took me a while but I managed to find his whereabouts. I can't believe my aunt was lying about not knowing anything."
Charlie had no idea where she was taking him. They even got on a muggle transport once. At this point, he was sure she was a serial killer in disguise. After what seemed like hours, they finally reached an isolated neighbourhood.
An owl flew towards her. He recognised the owl as Hamilton. She whispered,"Hamilton, did you find him?"
Charlie was never a fan of owls. So, he didn't know what the owl meant. But, suddenly, the owl started flying. Eveline nodded at Charlie telling him to follow. They stopped at a house.
She looked at Charlie,"I think we should open the door." He looked at her. Something about her seemed off. Not thinking much, Charlie looked around to make sure there was no one . He then took his wand out and said,"Alohomora."
The door opened. Charlie was shocked to see the house. It was so messy. Percy always liked to keep his room clean. There was no way this was Percy's house.
Charlie said almost as a murmur, This can't be his house."
Eveline looked at him,"Let's go inside." They both split up. Charlie reached the bedroom. If he had thought the living room was messy enough, then he was wrong. Because this room looked like a dumpster.
Charlie tripped on something. He almost fell down but managed to keep his balance. He looked down to see what he tripped on.
He screamed,"PERCY!" It was Percy lying almost lifeless. He was thin as a stick. Who knew when was the last time he had eaten!
Charlie immediately picked Percy from the floor. He called out his name multiple times. But, there was no response.
Charlie could hear a screech. He knew it wasn't Percy. He thought,"What's this sound?" He didn't want to move away from his brother.
Eveline came back from another room with a cage in hand. "It's his owl, Hermes... I don't think he has eaten at all for days."
Lots of thing were going through Charlie's mind. What had he done wrong? Why was Percy in this situation? What if Percy dies? He couldn't bear to lose another brother.
He realised someone was shaking him. It was Eveline. "Charlie.. listen to me. Get a grip on yourself. We need to treat him. We need to get him to St Mungo's."
He said in a worried voice,"Yes,let's hope the healers can treat him"