Riley
In the darkness of the night, Percy walked down a path barely illuminated by the faint light of the moon. The last time he had seen Riley, she was sleeping peacefully, nestled in the blankets he had brought especially for her since his return to the magical world.
Since that night of the battle, since Fred's death, Percy had felt the need to make amends with his family. But there was a part of him, one that no one knew about, for whom he would give his life: Riley, his daughter.
Riley's mother had been a kind-hearted witch, someone with whom Percy had shared a brief but passionate relationship, a relationship that, due to his rigor and duty towards the Ministry, he never confessed. When he found out he was going to be a father, fear and uncertainty overwhelmed him. However, upon seeing little Riley for the first time, a powerful and overwhelming love settled within him.
But that love was tragically shattered when, just days after her birth, a group of Death Eaters broke into the house where she and her mother lived, leaving everything in ruins.
Percy had arrived just in time to save Riley, escaping with her as flashes of dark magic lit up the destroyed house. Since then, Percy had become reserved and distant, hiding his pain, his guilt, and his immense responsibility, feeling that he couldn’t endanger his family by telling them the truth. At the same time, he knew he couldn’t protect Riley alone; he needed the help of someone he could trust.
That night, when he arrived at a small cabin on the outskirts of town, he took a deep breath and entered. Riley, now about three years old, was sleeping in a small crib in the corner. With a sad smile, Percy approached and gently stroked her red hair.
The little girl stirred, mumbling in her sleep. He watched her, wondering how much longer he could keep this secret. His daughter meant the world to him, but he knew he couldn’t hide her forever. Though Mrs. Smith helped him with his daughter and with that house, he couldn’t always be there. He deserved to be happy with Riley.
Each night, as he went to see her, his strength waned a little more, and loneliness invaded him. He knew he needed to tell the truth, but he feared rejection, judgmental glances, the contained fury he would surely receive from George and the others. As he watched Riley, he remembered the argument he had had with George that very night.
The harsh words still echoed in his mind. He felt that George was right in every accusation. And at the same time, Percy wanted to scream that everything he did was for her, to protect Riley, to keep safe the only person who now mattered in his life.
He was aware that his secret was devouring him, separating him more and more from his family, especially from George, who seemed to see him as a stranger, someone detached from the bonds that had once united them.
He approached the crib where Riley was sleeping and sat in a small chair beside her. As if sensing her father's presence, the little girl slowly opened her eyes and looked at him with a sleepy smile.
"Daddy?" she murmured in her small voice, reaching her arms out to him.
Percy leaned toward her, hugging her tenderly. Every time he held her in his arms, he felt that the whole world disappeared, leaving only the peace she brought him.
"Hello, my little one," Percy whispered, gently stroking her red hair, so much like his own. "I'm sorry I woke you."
"Why are you sad, Daddy?" Riley asked, with that pure innocence that only children have. Percy looked at her, surprised. His daughter was still very young, but she always seemed to pick up on his emotions like no one else.
"It's just that..." Percy hesitated, searching for words a child could understand. "Sometimes Daddy has many things on his mind and doesn't know how to solve them. But that doesn't mean he's not happy to see you."
Riley looked at him with those big eyes full of curiosity and tenderness, and took his face in her small hands.
"I want you to be happy, Daddy. Like when we play together."
Percy felt something crumble inside him. His life had been a constant struggle between duty and love, but in that moment, he just wanted to be able to live peacefully with her, without the secrets that suffocated him.
"I want to be happy too, Riley. You are what matters most to me in this world," he replied, kissing her forehead gently.
"Then, can you stay with me tonight? I don’t want you to leave again," Riley asked, hugging him tightly. Percy closed his eyes, letting himself be enveloped by the love he felt for her.
"I’ll stay with you tonight, I promise," he whispered, realizing that every night he spent with her, it became harder to leave.
As Riley nestled into his arms and drifted back to sleep, Percy remained silent, contemplating his daughter's face. He knew he couldn't keep up this secret life much longer. Each time, he felt more incapable of leaving his daughter alone, hidden in that cabin, and more eager to give her the life and family love she deserved.
Percy looked at the window, at the cold night surrounding them, and in his heart, a determination began to form. Maybe... maybe it was time for the Weasleys to meet Riley. Maybe it was time to stop running and face his fears.
Hope you enjoy it! It goes faster than I expected but I also want to advance the plot with Oliver.