Even though Fudge changed his tune at the end, and Voldemort made a high-profile appearance, he simply apologized, but still avoided the other Weasleys, let alone returned home.
The Shabby Residence fell into a strange silence, and Kael didn't know what to say to ease the atmosphere.
Besides, this was the Weasley family's issue, and it seemed inappropriate for him to say anything.
A somewhat embarrassed Kael wanted to do something to keep busy; he carefully picked up a piece of Fang Mint Candy, slowly unwrapping it, making an effort not to make any sound.
As soon as he got it unwrapped, a strong arm stretched out beside him and quickly snatched the candy away.
Charlie looked back at Kael and tossed the candy into his mouth.
It was clear he was also a bit embarrassed.
Although he was a Weasley, he was in Romania when Percy had the falling out with the family, and after he came back, the others seldom mentioned Percy.
At this moment, he didn't know what to say either.
"I'm sorry."
After what seemed like ages, Percy finally spoke: "I don't know what was going on with me at the time, maybe it was ridiculous pride. Even though I knew I was wrong, I didn't know how to face you and Dad... So I thought, as long as I didn't meet you all, I could pretend nothing had happened...
"But I know I was wrong, I'm sorry. If possible... I want to come back, back to this home, can I?"
Percy looked nervously at Mrs. Weasley, his hands tightly entwined.
"What silly talk are you saying?" Mrs. Weasley's eyes instantly reddened, and she hugged Percy forcefully, "You're a member of this family; you can come back anytime you want."
"So that's it?" Fred pouted, discontentedly saying, "An apology and all those bastard things can just be erased?"
"And you all." Percy turned his head, even though his body was weak, he wobbled and stood up. "I apologize for what I did before; however you want to vent, it's okay, as long as I can live here again, even in the attic."
Then Percy bent down, bending very low just like he had when he saw Barty Crouch at the Quidditch World Cup, his glasses even falling onto the table.
"You... Don't think that just because you said that, we can forgive you." Fred, who had been furious earlier, suddenly found himself speechless; he looked at Percy, subconsciously averting his gaze.
The same was true for George; the two seemed to not have fully processed the situation, and their expressions were somewhat awkward.
"It's really amazing, that you can say such things?" George tossed the Wand he had in his hand aside.
The Wand hit the chair, making a 'pop' and turning into a toy black line codfish.
"I really doubt if you are Percy now," Fred said, "The Percy we know would never apologize to his brothers."
"He'd just say: Fred, George, can you quiet down, I can't read at all."
"And tattling to Mom."
"You can check, by whatever means, I have no objection," Percy said.
"Don't say that, dear." Mrs. Weasley rubbed her eyes, "I trust the Healers at St Mungo's; if they could let you come back, it proves you're certainly okay."
"We naturally will do that."
George grabbed a piece of candy, tearing the wrapper open and stuffing it in his mouth, "But not the attic, if we really let you stay there, Mom would kill us."
The two didn't seem too accustomed to such a scene, or rather didn't expect Percy to change so much, leaving behind a sentence of "We're heading back to the shop," before hastily departing.
The door of the Shabby Residence opened and then closed again.
"I think I've never been to your place, right," Charlie suddenly turned his head and asked Kael.
"You haven't gone there since graduation," Kael said.
"It's been that long already? How's Tom doing?" Charlie said. "That Kneazle your family has."
"Quite well, he's gotten several times fatter, but Dad insists it's just that its fur has grown longer."
"I actually really like Kneazles; they're very smart little creatures and much easier to handle than Fire Dragons. Can you take me to see it?"
"Of course, no problem." Kael stood up and left the Shabby Residence with Charlie.
...