→ o1. [video]

[aperfectthird]

[The feed opens quite abruptly on a young man looking into the device with a combination of consternation and confusion. A finger appears and taps on the screen, then the view promptly swings around to a pair of perfectly polished dress shoes. The view shakes for a moment before coming back to Percy's face, brow still furrowed.]

Oh, I think it's one of those communication devices - felly - no - telly - telephones? Is it on?

[He speaks loudly now.]

Hello?! Can anyone hear me?

[Beat. He looks worried, biting his lip, then squares his jaw, thinks for a moment, and continues. His tone is firm and authoritative, though those who know him well might be able to spot a very fine thread of fear running through it.]

If anyone can hear me, then I demand safe passage back to England immediately. I am employed by the British government and I guarantee that the Minister will not be pleased to find I have been taken.

I await your response.

Now how do I turn this off?

Comments

voice ][

[7thborn.livejournal.com]

The cabin.

[She says it without hesitation, despite all she feels about him and the situation they're all in. To a Weasley, home is home, and the cabin is the closest thing to The Burrow they've got here. More than enough room, company, food, the safest place in the City for their kind. There's no other option in her mind, and the thought of Percy holing himself up in a flat away from the rest of them reminds her far too much of the first time he left them. Not here. Not now. Not when she can try to prevent it, hope that this is maybe that second chance she's been looking for with him (third, really, given the visitor's weekend and how she bungled that).]

We've got a cabin in the forest, magically protected, loads of bedrooms. The rest of our lot live there.

[aperfectthird.livejournal.com]

I don't - know if that's the best idea, Ginny. It sounds nice, of course, but -

[dead men live there the dead walk here]

- it's been some time since I lived with other people.

[7thborn.livejournal.com]

So you're just going to bugger off again?

[She can't help the edge creeping back into her voice. She has no right, not really, not when she left the cabin too. Not for the same reasons, perhaps, but she hasn't come back, either. It emptied on her once, she's afraid to wake up one morning and find it the same again.]

[aperfectthird.livejournal.com]

[I'm too big of a coward to live with the brother I killed. I don't want you to know about my nightmares. I'm panicing just thinking about it.

I'm scared.

There's that Gryffindor courage right there, huh?]

I simply feel it would be the wisest course of action.

[7thborn.livejournal.com]

No, it's idiotic.

[Not pulling any punches here, is she? If they were closer, if she allowed herself to be more honest, if she knew what Percy felt or what he was thinking—she'd tell him her Gryffindor courage slinks away when it shouldn't, too. What else would she call keeping secrets from everyone she loves and trusts? What else would she call being haunted by the fear that she'll be left alone again, so she keeps that distance? No one can be Gryffindor all the time. Not even Weasleys.]

Being alone in the City's a stupid idea. You've got family here, Percy, and a place as safe as Hogwarts. The ticking'll drive you mad and I'm not about to lend my owl to you so you can have some company.

[aperfectthird.livejournal.com]

[He's glad that she can only hear his voice, so she can't see him wince at the harsh edge to her voice, at her calling him idiotic even though he knows she's probably right. Well, no, she is right, he is being stupid, but he's petrified.

Still, he takes in a deep breath, clenches his free hand tightly into a fist, and manages to reply, evenly:]

If you feel it would be best, then.

[7thborn.livejournal.com]

[The pause sends something cold clutching at her stomach and belatedly, Ginny realises that she's being more than unfair. She remembers how he reacted the last time he was here, when he found out about Fred, and one might think that would be enough warning to be more gentle this time. But she never thinks, does she, not even when it comes to family when her emotions get the better of her.

Should she backtrack now? Should she tell him it's his decision, not hers? Would he listen? Softly, now.]

Where else would you go?