Chapter 3
The morning light streamed through the small window of the cabin, creating a warm glow on the wooden floor.Percy shifted in his chair, his back sore from sleepingnextto Riley’s crib.However, the warmth of his daughter in his arms made the painworthwhile.He hadn't felt this calm in a long time.
Riley sighed softly in her sleep, her tiny fingers holdingonto his robe.Percy smiled gently, though his heart was heavy.Today had to be the day.He couldn’t keep her hidden any longer.His family neededto know the truth.And Riley… Riley deserved a family that would love her as much as he did.
Carefully, he moved, placing her back into the crib.She moved but didn’t wake up.Percy ran a hand through his hair and letout a deep breath.It was time to getready.
Mrs.Smith was already up when Percy walked into the small kitchen.She was a kind elderly witch who had helped him care for Riley since she was a baby.Although she never asked too many questions, he knew she understood the burden he carried.
"You seemsworried this morning," she said, putting a cup of coffee in front of him."Bad dreams?"
Percy shook his head."No dreams at all.Just choices that I have to do"
Mrs.Smith sat across from him, examining his face."You’re going to tell them, right?"
He nodded."I have to.Riley deserves more than this hidden life.I can’t keep her outof sight forever."
"No, you can’t," she agreed."And your family… they might be angry at first, but Percy, they love you.And once they see that little girl, they will love her too."
Percy swallowed hard.That’s what he hoped, but the fear of rejection still lingered."I hope you’re right."
Later that afternoon, Percy stood outside The Burrow, his heart racing.He held Riley close, feeling her steady breathing against him.
He had sent a letter earlier inthe day, asking his family to gather, but he hadn’t explained why.It was time totell the truth face-to-face. Taking a deep breath, he knocked on the door.It opened almost instantly, revealing Molly Weasley, her eyes widening in shock at the sight of him.
"Percy!" she exclaimed, before her gaze shifted to the little girl in his arms."Oh, my goodness… who is this?"
Percy stepped inside, his throat tightening."Mum… everyone… there's something I need to tell you. So here we go...This… this is my daughter.This is Riley."
A heavy silence blanketed the room as the Weasleys, gathered in the kitchen, processed his words.George’s expression darkened, his jaw clenched.Bill and Charlie exchanged looks of disbelief.Ginny’s mouth hung open slightly, and Ron furrowed his brows, clearly shocked.
Molly was the first to move.She stepped closer, her eyes filling with tears."Oh, Percy… you have a daughter?And you’ve been raising her by yourself?"
"Not completelyby myself," he confessed, his voice shaky."Mrs.Smith has assisted me.But I… I kept her a secret because I was scared.I was scared of yourreaction, scared that she’d be atrisk if anyone found out."
"Risk?" Arthur spoke up, worryevidentin his tone."Percy, what happened?"
Percy paused, gripping Riley tighter."Her mother… she was killed by Death Eaters.They were looking for me, or maybe just tryingto cause chaos.I barely got Riley out in time.I didn’t want anyone else to be atrisk.And I didn’t know how to sharethis with you."
For a moment, therewassilence.Then, Ginny stepped forward."Percy… that must have been so difficultfor you.But we would have helped.You didn’t have to face this alone."
"I thought I had to," he admitted."And maybe at first, I did.But now… I just want Riley to know her family.I want her to have more than just me."
Molly reached out, gently touching Riley’s small hand.The little girl looked up at her with curiosity, then gave a small smile.Molly let out a soft cry."She looks just like you did when you were little."
George, who had beenquiet, finally spoke.His voice was low but steady."All this time, you kept her from us.You didn’t trust us."
Percy looked his brother in the eye."I didn’t trust myself, George.I was worried I would fail her, justlike I failed all of you before."
George’s expression changed, showing emotions too complicated to describe.Then, with a long sigh, he ran a hand through his hair."You’re foolish, Perce.But you’re family.And that means she’s family too."
Percy felt a burden lift from his heart.He looked around at his siblings, his parents, the people he had keptaway from for so long.And as Molly pulled him and Riley into a comfortinghug, he realized that maybe, just maybe, he had finally found his way back home.