Audrey
'Why did you let him die? He deserved to live, you didn't. Why? Why? Why? Why? You idiot, you jerk! What did he do to deserve death?' a silhouette of his brother 'You deserve death. You always did. You brother killer. I hate you. I hate you. I HATE YOU.'
Percy sat up in his bed, gasping for air. Eyes wide, a sea of sweat ran down his cheeks. The covers were on the floor, probably kicked off over the night. He buried his hand into his hair. The loose, curly jungle tickled his skin, it was soft, but wet from the sweat.
Tears joined in to the fountain of sweat, blending in. His sobbing was quietened down by a pillow he pushed his head into. What had gone wrong yesterday? Why did everything take a toll from there? They had such a good day, why, why, why?
The boy turned towards his clock on the wall, but could barely read it without his glasses. 4:30. He didn't think he'd wake up so early. Percy was actually horribly tired, but he couldn't bring himself to go back to sleep. He had to do something, anything. Anything to distract himself. To stop himself from having time to think.
Apparating inside the house was harder than you'd think. The Weasley had to be careful not to push anything down, or hurt himself. That's why he chose to Apparate to the middle of the living room, onto the floor, and crawled to reach his wheelchair. He trained his hands quite well, they were in excellent shape. From there, he made his way into the bathroom, and tried to get himself together. Showering already took around twenty minutes, then taking care of his wounds, taking his medicine (choosing which one he had to take) doubled that time.
He wasn't sure why, but he couldn't bare sharing the same living space with George after the events of yesterday. Percy had to get out of this box he shut himself into. The isolation, scared of the judging stares of people. George didn't notice, but Perce did. Those eyes were crawling on his back any time he went outside. But Perce knew he had to accept the painful truth. The truth that he will never be as valuable as others anymore. That couldn't get a hold of him. Percy had to continue on. Living, bitterly. And the first step of that is exploring the town.
When Percy left, he moved into a small flat in London. Part of him was excited, yet he was terrified, and definitely not used to the silence that accompanied him every single lonely night. He didn't explore the city much, and he felt a huge weight of regret for never even considering to, he was focused on his work. Everything was circling around his poor, young mind, and Percy was beginning to get sick. If he'd ever have to describe it, he'd do it by saying "the worst years of my life," over and over again, until everyone around would get sick and leave. Why did he even put the effort in? Was his work worth anything? He questions to this very day. But it wasn't the time to dwell on the past. He had to focus on his future. Percy knew, George will leave him as soon as he's able to, and until that time, the older Weasley had to get ready both financially and mentally.
Percy made his way out of the flat, thinking of whether to leave a note for George or not. The boy figured his brother wouldn't care anyway, so he went out, not telling anyone where he was going. He wasn't even sure of that. Percy was trying to get out in a desperate attempt of calming himself. He had to find a place to work, make some friends and make a mental map of important shops. It was all boring and tiring for him, but he had to get it done.
Percy looked around, making sure no one was watching. In a brief second, he was already down the stairs, Apparation was truly magical. Exiting the building, Percy quickly covered his eyes from the Sun, trying to blind him. The streets weren't as busy as they usually were, only a few people roamed them. Percy didn't expect better so early in the morning. He rubbed his eyes, then began to make his way around, looking for any "help wanted" signs. Of course, many shops weren't open yet, but they had a tendency to keep the sign out at all times in case a determined homeless person takes notice of it. Percy wasn't homeless, yet still looking for a job. Did this make him pathetic? No. But Percy felt like a disappointment.
Roaming around wasn't something he ever thought he'd do. Percy had always gone to one place to another with an exact purpose, now he felt as if he'd be lost. Maybe, he truly was. Turning around the corners, staring at the windows of the shops, he was surprised to realize that no one had needed plus employees, which was abnormally weird in London. It seemed as if the world wouldn't want him to reach his goal...
'Oi, redhead!' someone called out, in a rather unmannered, smug tone. Percy turned towards this person, who was found out to be a young man. He had some people with him, all wearing the same, evil expression.
'May I help you?' he asked, in a formal tone, tho it almost came out sharply, which Percy really did not want.
'You can't even stand up!' the man grinned, 'Help me? Of course, I'll ask some freak to help!' him and his friends seemed to have fun, making these horrible remarks, but Percy didn't feel the same way.
'I'm not a freak sir. And if I can't help, then I'd like to take my leave,' he said, trying to keep it short. The Weasley was about to go past them, when one of the grabbed his chair and pulled it out from beneath him. Percy fell off, hitting his head in the hard pavement beneath him.
'Oops, sorry, my hands must have slipped!' they didn't stop laughing for a moment, in fact, they didn't even help Percy. The boy picked the wheelchair up and threw it away, 'Get your wheelchair now, freak!' he smirked, and got out of the way for Percy to crawl to it. Of course, for the Weasley, it couldn't have been more humiliating, the snickering got louder each time he got closer.
'Do a favour to all of us and get out of this town!' one of them remarked from behind him.
'Or even better! Do a favour to the whole world and kill yourself!' The boys laughed even louder, before kicking into him. But the Weasley froze, thinking, that one sentence going in his head on repeat.
'Oi Franklin, leave him alone!' a woman shouted, but Percy didn't hear her. The boys got alarmed and ran away. He felt someone kneeling down next to him, lightly placing a hand on his shoulder,
'Are you alright?' she asked. Percy looked at her, and his eyes widened.
'Audrey?' he recognized with a smile. The girl returned the gesture, giggling slightly.
'Hey Perce. Long time no see!' she greeted. Audrey got up and helped his friend back into his wheelchair, 'It's not damaged, at least, I can't see any damage on it...'
'That's good...' Percy muttered.
'I'm sorry about this Perce. This town is full of bunch of young assholes, who can't seem to appreciate other people, mostly including disabled...' she sighed, disappointed.
'It's fine, they didn't do anything serious,' the boy lied. Audrey frowned
'They kicked you dear and took your chair away. That counts as serious if you ask me...' Percy shrugged, 'Let's go on a walk together! We have a lot to catch up on!' the boy nodded, as Audrey took his hand.
'How did you get in London? How long have you been here? How's Marcus?' asked Percy, bombing the poor girl with questions. Audrey giggled.
'Good old Perce, always worried and curious. I always loved that about you,' she said 'Well, I got job here, so I moved from Cardiff around... two months ago? Somewhere around the end of the war. I moved in with Marcus, we're officially dating!' she exclaimed, happily.
'Oh. My. Merlin. Really? That's awesome, I'm so proud!' his eyes opened wide, with a spark. Audrey laughed.
'You really didn't change. Well, how's Oliver?'
'I dunno, I haven't seen him since our last meeting in the end of February. I thought you knew, I was just going to ask'
'Oh dear... That idiot have disappeared again, didn't he?' she smirked.
'As always... Probably ran away somewhere to marry his broom' Percy rolled his eyes, snickering.
'Yea... That Quafflehead. And what are you doing here? I thought you went back to your family' she questioned, a soft tone taking place in her voice. The Weasley sighed.
'I've gone back, but they sent me and George away to live together, after we had some... Unsolved tension between us' he explained, failing to hide his sad expression. Audrey nodded, sympathetically.
'Well, how are you getting along? Is it good or horrible as Azkaban?'
'Hm... Not too bad, I just... I don't think he likes me very much' he looked at the ground.
'He needs time to adjust. He's been the closest to Fred after all' she said. Percy nodded.
'It's just taking a toll on all of us, you know? I'm not sure what to do anymore to make him happy'
'Maybe you shouldn't try. Perhaps he doesn't want your pity. He wants to be treated normally, like others. You understand that, don't you?' she gestured towards the wheelchair 'I don't think you should try to get his favour. He'll come around eventually, he's a smart guy, probably just needs some time. He knows how much he means to you, he simply doesn't realize how much he's hurting you' she explained. Did she speak from experience?
'Yes, you could be right. Thank you Audrey' both fell silent for a brief moment. Audrey smiling, happy to be able to help her friend, Percy puzzled, thinking about her words. His thoughts were interrupted by Audrey speaking once again.
'And do you have a job yet? I heard you quit from the ministry. Took you long enough!' she elbowed Percy in the shoulder. The Weasley sighed once again.
'No, actually that was the reason I came out to look around in the first place. I'm looking for a place to work' in case George leaves me earlier than expected. Audrey's eyes sparkled with excitement.
'Really? Oh my God, oh my God, I have the best recommendation for you!' she exclaimed, jumping up and down 'We could work together!' Percy leaned forwards.
'Where?' he asked, feeling the same amount of excitement his friend felt.
'In Saint Mungo's! They're looking for people to help treat those, who were injured in the war' she explained. Percy's eyes widened.
'But Audrey, I'm... I'm disabled, I can't walk' he muttered.
'You don't need to walk! We had a surgeon who was stuck in a wheelchair like you, and she performed perfect surgeries, she was worldwide known! Having a disability doesn't close out every option. I believe you remember the basic healing spells and others from Herbiology. And judging by the time you spent in the Infirmary, I think you'll be fine without learning the whole Medical book' she giggled. Percy hummed 'Think about it at home. If you consider coming to help us, just go to the receptionist and ask for me. I'll do the rest!' she grinned. The Weasley nodded, thankful.
They spent rest of the day walking around, Audrey showing some restaurants, shops and important places to know about. Percy was grateful for the tour and the company, it actually took his mind off of George and allowed him to relax a bit.
The sun was setting when they separated. Part of Percy was glad to go home, yet another has been terrified of that moment. He wasn't sure whether George would be mad or if he didn't notice at all. Many outcomes swirled in his head, giving him a headache. Percy was hungry and tired. He lied to Audrey when he said he had a big breakfast. What an idiot he was...
He opened the front door quietly, careful not to disturb his brother. Percy came inside and looked around. It looked as if George wouldn't have came out at all. That bothered Percy. Has he eaten yet? Did he shower? Was he sad?
'George? Where are you?' he called out, receiving no answer 'George?' he knocked on his door, but got nothing. Percy sighed, defeated. Maybe he wasn't home... Probably went out to drink or something, wasn't Percy's business.
He dressed into his night gown and glanced at the kitchen. He face-palmed. Of course, the only edible thing was on the top shelf which he couldn't reach. Percy knew he was in no state of mind to use magic, even the smallest bit. He was glad he managed to Apparate. So Percy did what he knew to do best. He climbed.
Fortunately for him, the furniture seemed to be able to take his weight, only giving out some disapproving creaks once in a while.
'There we go!' he grinned, grabbing a jar of jam from the top shelf. How did it get there? Even George couldn't reach that without help! He grabbed one of the shelves, then began his way down.
Crack
Percy was falling. Then, the next moment, everything went black. The last thing he heard was a door opening.
'Percy?' George called out. He heard a loud crack then a thump 'Percy? Where the fuck are you?' he shouted once again, getting angry and worried. He looked a the kitchen floor and saw a strand of red hair. No. 'Percy? Is something wrong?' no. No no no no no 'Percy!' blood painted the white tiles. His brother's blood. His brother's sweet, crimson blood.