Apartment C5
"Bill, mate, we shouldn't trespass,"Charlie said in a wary tone.
Bill glared at him,"Which part of this seems trespassing to you? I am just trying to visit my younger brother's house."
"Without his permission!" Charlie argued. However, Bill didn't pay any heed. Ever since, he saw Percy in the hospital, he was determined to find out what happened to him. A part of him reasoned that Percy was just drained. But, the logical part was sure that he was cursed.
Right now, standing infront of Percy's London house,not the muggle one, he was damn sure something was off. He could feel it.
Charlie said in a bitter tone,"I thought you didn't care- about him."
His older brother looked at him in disbelief,"Are you kidding me right now? He's my brother,Charlie,just like you. Any of my siblings can run a truck over me and I won't say a word."
Bill cared. He really did. He just didn't know how to express it. Being the oldest was a chore. He was sure that none of his siblings understood that. He literally had to act as a parent to them.
When Fred died, he didn't know what to feel. But, he vowed to protect all his siblings after Fred's demise.
Percy-he was an oddball. Bill was neutral but him. He didn't dislike him or particularly like him. One might say that this was wrong. But, when one has that many siblings like him, it's normal to be partial.
He knew Percy was a good, disciplined kid. So, when he got the letter that Ginny had sent him, he was shocked. She had cursed a lot in that letter, calling Percy a git, a bastard, a low-life. He still kept believing that his brother would be back. Even when he didn't show up for Bill's wedding, even when he returned the sweater their mum had made.
The last straw for Bill was Percy's absence in Fred's funeral. Fred was the only one ready to accept Percy. Still, Percy didn't show up to say goodbye. George was waiting patiently for Percy on that day too. But, no- he didn't arrive.
Bill had reasoned with himself that Percy might have been ill that day. This logical. He desperately wanted this to happen. Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to forgive Percy.
Percy's flat was a narrow 5-story building. It was leaning to its left. It seemed the building may fall at any moment. Right now, Bill and Charlie were arguing right infront of Percy's flat,C5.
They heard the door open, probably Percy's neighbour. A familiar voice said,"It's Sunday. Can you two please tone it down a bit?"
They turned to face the owner. Charlie recognised her immediately,"Eveline."
Bill now recognised her, this was the ministry girl.
She was still sleepy, rubbing her eyes and dressed in pajamas. Leaning on the door frame,she gave Charlie a mini salute.
"When did they get friendly?" Bill thought. But, he decided not to ask the question now. This wasn't the time.
"We are just visiting Percy's house," Bill waved his wand. But, she stopped him.
Eveline said,"Percy has at least 5 protective charms in his house. Magic won't work. You need keys."
"Of course, his house was charmed." Bill thought. He felt a bit embarrassed.
Eveline moved and made way. She signed them to sit in her living room.
"Wait for 15 minutes. My aunt will be up . Then, I can get you the keys."
The Weasley brothers exchanged a look and entered her house. To say they were shocked would be an understatement. Everything, literally everything, in her house was blue. Curtains, furnitures, cups, even the pajamas she was wearing.
Bill looked around,"You must be a fan of blue."
She replied with a sarcastic laugh,"Thanks. I wouldn't have known if you didn't tell me."
Bill and Charlie took their seats on the comfy blue sofa. Bill saw multiple copies of "The Daily Prophet" on the tea table.
"That's a lot," He muttered. He turned around and looked at Charlie, only to find he was inspecting the same thing.
She was preoccupied in some work,"I am going to go check on my aunt."
After she left the room, Charlie picked 3 papers off the tea table. In every paper, the list of death eaters were circled with red pen. And the list of martyrs were circled with blue pen.
Before the two brothers could discuss, she returned with the key. Handing it to Bill, she said,"Just be careful. Percy was wary of intruders. I won't be surprises if he has traps set inside."
Charlie asked,"Intruders?"
Eveline glared at Charlie with a hint of disgust or disbelief,Bill couldn't exactly understand,"He worked at the ministry, Charlie. He was surrounded by Death Eaters. He never told me but I am sure his every movement was monitored, even each breath. I was just a normal employee and I had to go through tough surveillance. I can't imagine what was the situation with him."
Right, Percy was a junior assistant to the Minister. Bill had heard from his friends that there was no free space in the ministry. Every floor, every nook and corner were surveillanced . Even after knowing that, that time, he didn't bother to check on Percy. He felt a pang of guilt.
He silently took the key from her. He and Charlie opened the door to Percy's apartment. Suddenly, Charlie remembered about Hermes. He told Bill to go ahead. Bill didn't stop him.
Charlie went back to Eveline home. She looked at him in surprise,"What's wrong?"
He ran his fingers to his hair,"That owl- Hermes. I thought I should visit him." She nodded and told him to follow her.
Owls were never his's favourite. Dragons were more of his type and everyone knew that. Still, he followed Eveline and petted Hermes.
She smiled at the owl,"You look well now. I thought we had lost you for a second."
Upon hearing that,Charlie stopped petting the owl. Eveline sighed,"Charlie, Hermes was sick. He was almost dying."
Charlie hang his head down. He said in a low voice,"Yeah, Percy was unconscious. Maybe, he couldn't feed him. That's why..."
She interrupted him,"No. You don't understand. He was meant to die."
He was confused,"What?"
Frustratingly, she said,"I mean someone was trying to kill Hermes. I don't think I can explain it, in better words. When I brought him home, he was surely cursed. Look, I am no curse expert. But, I did have 12 OWLS and 12 NEWTS , so I know my stuff."
Charlie was shocked to say the least,"CURSED?"
She nodded. He didn't know what to say or what to do. He figured the best thing would be to consult Bill.
He rushed to Percy's apartment to find Bill, only to find him standing in the living room.
Charlie put a hand on his brother's shoulder,"What's wrong?"
Bill gave him a horrified look,"Just what was Percy upto? I have tried so many spells but I still can't get to his bedroom."
This time, Charlie tried and failed. Bill and him decided to bring Hermione next time. Hermione being Hermione, should be able to break this charm.
On his way home, Charlie explained Bill about Herme's curse. Bill was now sure Percy was cursed too.
This day had already taken a toll on them. They returned home for some peace and quiet. But, what greeted them there surprised them.