AN: last official chapter before an outtake/epilogue of sorts. VS x

Chapter 8

When Percy had suggested a walk after dinner, Audrey had jumped at the chance to escape. She loved all of Percy's family dearly, but they were nuts, crazy, insane and worse when all together in one room.

Being invited to join the weekly family dinner had seemed like an excellent idea when she had accepted but watching how thirteen fully grown adults and a six month old baby squeezed into Molly's kitchen had been some feat of magic. Percy explained as they walked towards the village that they usually ate outside, but the cold gale force winds and sleet, unusual for the end of October but not unheard of, meant they were stuck inside unless they wanted to rent rooms somewhere.

Percy seemed to have a destination in mind as he took them down a side road on the outskirts of the village and, making sure that Audrey was warm enough, cast a warming charm on her jacket before hesitating and speaking.

"There's one more family member I want you to meet. Are you up for that tonight?" She couldn't help but hesitate herself.

"You know, your sister told me about your Auntie Muriel. I'm not sure I ever want to meet her." Her panicked face, even in the half dark made Percy smile as he tugged her jacket closer around her and planted a small but intense kiss on the end of her nose.

"I have no intention of introducing you to Muriel, don't you worry," he chuckled some more as he looked around them and pointed in the direction they were headed before continuing on their way. "Come on, this won't be an ordeal, I promise."

They reached a small church ten minutes down the side road and Percy stopped. The church had traditional gothic architecture and looked as if it needed some repair work in places. Spotlights embellished the simple beauty of the church in the darkness that now surrounded them. The small gate they stood beside led to the path which parted the sea of gravestones, fresh flowers dotted in between older ones down to the large arched front door.

Leading the way, Percy followed the path up to the front door but instead of going into the building, he continued to follow the path that led around the side of the building. Audrey followed in silence, a foreboding feeling coming over her as Percy remained silent and passive; though he seemed to be chuckling to himself as he veered off the path and picked out a route through the headstones.

"It's just down here, are you okay?"

"Hmm? Yeah, I'm ok. The church is beautiful." She had been admiring the old building as they skirted around it. Percy nodded as he continued to take them away from the building. He stopped at a small, simple grave near the back hedge. He waited for her to catch up before he spoke, gesturing towards the grave.

"This is Fred."

The headstone was simple. It held Fred's names and dates. He had been barely twenty when he passed. An inscription below that was hidden by flowers and the darkness that surrounded them in this far corner of the graveyard.

Percy crouched down the dust away some stray leaves and rearranged the flowers that were there. As he removed dead flowers and foliage from the arrangements, the inscription underneath Fred's dates became clear.

"What does it mean: 'Brave at Heart until the End'?" Audrey waited patiently for Percy to answer. She didn't have to wait long for him to stand and answer, but it was with a small voice that he spoke.

"Something from school," he said, turning to face her solemnly. "You remember I told you about the school founders and how the houses were named for them? Well every year, before the first years were sorted into their new House, there was a poem which, mostly, described the qualities each house exemplified. Bravery, Daring, Nerve and Chivalry were most desired in Gryffindor House and we were all in Gryffindor, even Harry, Hermione and Angelina." He looked proud at that particular moment. It must have meant a great deal to all of them.

"What was the poem? Do you remember it?"

"It changed every year, but I think what Ron recalled was something along the lines of: 'You might belong in Gryffindor / where dwell the brave at heart. / Their daring, nerve and chivalry / set Gryffindors apart.' Hermione was quite impressed that he remembered that actually! Anyway, it was fitting." Audrey smiled weakly as a sombre expression clouded his face once more and allowed him a moment before she asked about Fred specifically. He looked a bit confused, but answered without hesitation.

"He was like George, shorter than me but still tall, and -"

"No, what he like, personality wise?" Audrey laughed and was pleased to see Percy laughing off his mistake.

"I did wonder why you asked! He was a lot like George though, just more. More outgoing, more daring, more sarcastic, more… well, more everything really. He was cruel in his way, quite callous at times, you know? But on the other hand, he could be quite compassionate too. Quite an unusual combination, cruel and compassionate, but there you have it." Percy was quiet for a long time before he spoke next.

"He was the first to forgive me. When I came back? He was the first one to call me a moron and step forward to shake my hand. Well, he tried to shake my hand; Mother pushed him out of the way to strangle me with a bear hug.

"He was really funny, like George still is. He was really intelligent too; though I'd never have told him to his face. He was loyal and unafraid of anyone or anything."

"Did you get on? I mean, I know you said he and George teased you a lot, but later on maybe?"

"We didn't really get a chance. I left and then he died. George confessed they thought I was arrogant growing up – I guess in a way I still am, but both the twins took great delight in tormenting me.

"Do you remember we spoke about Penelope a couple of weeks ago? Harry said Fred's face looked like all his birthdays had come at once when Fred got hold of that rumour. You know something to hold over my head and tease me with? But at the same time, this was the guy that was so angry and betrayed about me leaving during the war.

"He still cared though – Mum says he asked about me often and he welcomed me back like I said. You know, during that final battle, it was like I'd never left, we worked well together and he was laughing at something I'd said when he… died. I must have distracted him or something. He never saw it coming."

Percy was quiet for the longest time then and Audrey shuffled closer to comfort him and, yes, to keep warm. He wrapped an arm around her shoulder and they embraced clumsily as he tried to double check their warming charms.

"You know, I think you would have liked him." Percy seemed extremely pensive, his voice almost distant.

"Yeah?"

"Yes. He was more serious than George, at times, and Ginny has a similar temperament; you get on with her. She didn't get that evil glint in her eye from our parents that's for damn certain."

"Oh I don't know. I bet your mum can glare when she wants!" Percy smiled thoughtfully as he considered her suggestion.

"Yes, I suppose she can. But that was never aimed at me, growing up." He chuckled. "The twins used to torment Ron relentlessly too."

"But let's face it, he probably deserved it." Audrey couldn't help but chuckle.

"You're right of course! They were probably thinking he'd grow up and want their stuff – the one problem of having so many brothers; nothing ever stayed yours for long. Even Ron inherited my pet rat to bring to school. Not that Scabbers was much of a rat." The last part seemed to be uttered under his breathe, but Audrey still heard him.

"What do you mean, 'not much of a rat'?"

"It's a long story, never mind. I think Fred would have liked you too, the rest of the family seem to agree." Audrey was glad to have confirmation that his family liked her; the feeling was definitely mutual.

They were quiet for a long time again before either of them broke the silence. Again, it was Percy. It was his turn to chuckle and laugh now.

"I can't believe you thought I was bringing you to Auntie Muriel's!"