I loved this chapter so much! I love flirty Audrey and awkward Percy. So cute! I'm so excited to see the development of their relationship. It's interesting to see Percy from Bill's point of view. Their relationship has been really to see played out so far. Bill is kind of an enigma throughout the series. He and Charlie are the least known of the Weasleys so any development of either is great fun to read. I love that Bill is the quintessential eldest child but he is still light enough to be fun and interesting. It's funny how Percy seems to fill that typical eldest personality almost more than Bill. The love scene was perfectly steamy but I enjoyed that it wasn't just about throwing sex in there but that we got a glimpse into Bill's struggles and Fleur's growth. I'm intrigued by this schoolgirl crush Audrey has on Percy. What's the draw for her, the obvious "bad girl"/ goof-off, to straight laced, tightly wound Percy? I can't wait for more Percy/Audrey! Lovely as always!

Perfection! That first scene was just breathtaking and painful all at once. I loved Audrey's portrayal too. She's so witty and fun and she knows she's got Percy's attention, which was hilarious to watch. I loved the tension between Bill and Fleur, and Fleur's fiery anger. You can tell she cares deeply about the cause. The fact that she keeps bringing up Tonks' father says a lot-it obviously struck a chord with her, the idea of families splitting apart like that. And finally, the ending was great. Also, I hope we're going to see more of Oliver later on! I love the way you write him-and him and Percy together!

One interesting question that I'm sure you have the answer to-is this story going to make it all the way to the battle? Because if so, there's this scene before the battle where Percy introduces himself to Fleur saying something like "So you're my new sister in law?" And I was wondering if/how you were going to tackle that, since it's clear here that they'd been working together for a while! Maybe he doesn't want his family to know everything he's been doing to undermine the Ministry just yet? Or maybe he was just saying it as a joke? xD

Once again, great chapter! Looking forward to next Tuesday.

I think my heart is about to explode with love for Bill/Fleur and Percy/Audrey. This was FANTASTIC. Favorites: the description of the pain Bill experiences during the full moon (You really nailed it. This is exactly how I always imagined it would be. And I like the detail about Bill and Fleur being very private about it all - very IC.), "Fleur, love, I want to feel good." (This felt so raw while I was reading it that I actually stopped breathing for a second. Amazing.), the ease/immediacy with which Fleur responds to Bill and the emotion in her eyes, OLIVER (Oh, I've missed him.), "I thought perhaps I needed a pair of breasts to rate a visit from you these days." (Percy's wit is perfection.), Percy reflecting on the night that Dougal and Fergus died (Their deaths always hit me so hard.), the scene between Oliver and Catriona (You KNOW how much I love Catriona. "He's dead, he's dead..." Now, my heart hurts.), Oliver and Percy talking about the Order, Oliver blushing at the mention of Katie (*sings*), "I mentioned that, and was handed my bollocks on a platter." (GO KATIE!), Fleur's Patronus being a lioness (YES YES YES. Everything about that is just YES.), Oliver being better at Patronuses than Percy (Percy's difficulty in coming up with a real happy memory is so spot-on.), Audrey being giddy with excitement over meeting Percy (Schoolgirl crush! YES! I didn't see that coming, but I am so happy now.), Audrey's overalls, Percy staring blatantly at Audrey's breasts (*snorts with laughter*), Audrey's confidence and easygoing charm (She reminds me so much of my little sister.), "Well, of course, I fancied you terribly in school." (*squeals*), Fleur's suspicion and Audrey's beatific smile, Audrey stopping Percy from asking Fleur about the full moon (That was a beautiful moment.), Percy recognizing the faces of two people up to no good, "She flashed him that cheerful smile that made it hard to think." (This really just said it all. XD), the tension in the scene between Bill and Fleur, Fleur hating to be dismissed and her frustration at not knowing the English phrasing for what she wants to convey (I love that little detail.), Percy looking at Fleur as though he'd never seen her before, Fleur's confidence in laying out her plan, "But he does have to prove himself." (AHHHHH. So powerful.), "Don't talk to her like that." (I LOVE PERCY. It's moments like this that show you he's SUCH a Gryffindor.), Bill's reflections on a potential relationship between Percy and Audrey, Bill being able to read French, Percy's reaction to Audrey's message, "We are very clever witches." (You tell him, Fleur!), the reason behind Percy knowing how to cast the Fidelius Charm (I giggled.), Bill keeping his face impassive despite his relief that Fleur wouldn't be directly in the line of fire (Everything about that screamed 'Bill.'), Percy offering to see Audrey home, Audrey calling Percy 'Gryffindor,' "No one, least of all Bill, seemed to know what Harry Potter had planned, much less You-Know-Who." (That line pretty much sums up the war.), the amount of love Bill has for his family, and finally, the last five lines, which were just perfect. AMAZING CHAPTER! Can't wait for the next!

I couldn't pick just one favorite thing abut this chapter, so I picked 3:

1) the moment between Oliver and Catriona - I love their relationship, and that scene gets me every time.
2) how Fleur handles Bill (and herself) when he tries to start a fight about her plans for the Order. He is SO far out of line *angry face*
3) how much Audrey flusters Percy ;)

ok, 4 things: Audrey's overalls haha

I can really see that you're getting into your stride here...Sparkling dialogue, sizzling tension. Amazing!

Favorite bit of chapter 2: that Bill finds it hilarious that he's the curse breaker with the cursed wounds, even though no one else thinks it's funny haha If I were in Bill's position I would think it was hysterical ;)

Another beautiful chapter, everything is so nicely written! I love the relationship we see between Bill and Fleur, and Bill and Percy. Can't wait to read the rest! Wonderful job :)

Another great chapter, as always. I enjoy some good smut so I had no issues with the first part, and you wrote it well, capturing such a difficult moment between Bill and Fleur.

I always enjoy seeing Percy and Oliver interact, because you do write them as best friends and it allows Percy to show a different side of himself, and you write it so well. I was confused about one thing - is Percy's Patronus Oliver's dog, or did Oliver just have his dog with him and Percy wasn't able to produce the Patronus? I actually think the idea of Percy not being able to produce a Patronus works really well... not being able to find a memory strong enough to make it work, I mean.

I do love how you write Audrey and I have since reading the George/Angelina story in which she featured. I can't wait to see how she and Percy get together in this story, as well as how she became friends with Fleur. Looking forward to more as always!

And... I'm addicted! Love the spotlight on the "side" characters and am looking forward to more, thanks for sharing!

Hooray! I'm so happy to see the finished product! The writing is tight and the characterizations have set up the players for the main event! I admit I'm most drawn to the conspiring of one Percy Weasley. Can't wait to read more. :)

Well I can already tell that this is going to be a great story- your characters are perfectly developed and I can feel the tension of the war in your words. I look forward to this Tuesday (and the tuesdays to come)

Eeeeee! I forgot it was Tuesday until I saw this earlier, and I'd forgotten you update during the daytime, yay! Mandy, this is so good! I'm recc'ing it everywhere. Another blow-by-blow review:

Your Percy is killing. me. Feels everywhere! Bill's attack reminding him of Ginny and the Chamber. Disillusioning himself in the hallway, watching his family all day without joining in, his observations on the others, especially that Fleur had never left Bill's side and that Percy was able to take comfort in that. Then this: "But Percy knew that he couldn't just go home. He had too much to make up for." *sobbing* And this: "And Percy was the Ministry-loving prat. Was there room for him still?" *gross sobbing*

HOW MUCH did I love Bill and Percy in the pub?! Ehehe, Care of Magical Creatures class gone wrong :D The way Bill acknowledged Percy's reaction to his new appearance and found a way to make a joke of it (when you know it has to hurt coming from a loved one). Bill's leadership and oldest-brotherness in taking the piss out of both Percy and Charlie about having met Fleur first, and how "just like that" they were back to normal. The irony of "the curse breaker with the cursed wounds"-I never thought of that, but it's just the kind of thing I imagine Bill and Percy would get that the rest of the family would not be amused by. (I love these two together!) The whole Prefect and Head Boy banter, Bill still being upset with Charlie, the way they both speak of Fergus naturally-Weasley sibling gold, that is!

I /loved/ the introduction of Fleur through Percy's eyes here-what a great way to show the changes she's made in the last few years growing from girl to woman. I love this aspect of her being eager to please/impress/be accepted by Bill's family (she was so RUDE in HBP!). For a minute, I thought you were making an unfavorable contrast between Fleur's table and Molly's, but I was pleasantly surprised to see it was both a contrast and a familiarity. What a great way to show the similarities between two women who initially seem nothing alike. That brings us to...

Bill and Fleur! *fans self* Holy cow, this was hot. I'm not sure now whether I'm more excited or nervous about what you have planned for these two through the story! Again, brilliant use of POV with Percy being both jealous and embarrassed, and then "Bill's fingertips grazed her upper arm. She shivered. Percy looked away." *melts* An excellent example of less is more!

Also, can we give a cheer for Percy the Gryffindor? Working in the Minister's office, high security clearance, sneaking into dangerous places to illegally copy classified documents, and just plain excelling at magic with his "very good Disillusionment Charm"-he's like the Wizarding Mycroft! (*shoos away plot bunnies* *no, really, go away!*) Bill missing Percy's implication about mixed blood says so much about how Bill thinks of Fleur, and how she acknowledged the risk and stood up to it at the same time shows us a lot about who she is (as well as her account of the fight between her and Bill in flashback, especially her own personal reasons for joining the Order).

Finally, to be a little more concrit-y instead of just raving ... the transition from character focus/subplot to main plot/conflict is so smooth in this chapter, and the dialogue between the three after dinner is stellar-back and forth, conversational, even emotional, but still advancing the plot. Fleur still thinking-to the point of not sleeping thinking-about how she could have helped the Tonks family and later in that section her thinking about her own strengths show her as protagonist, which I love, since the typical choice would be to make it Bill as the dashing, talented, brave (male) hero.

ABSOLUTELY LOVING THIS-and we haven't even gotten to the "good parts" yet!

Fantastic! The reconcilliation of families, the breaking apart of social order...I couldn't have done it better myself!

PS: I got rather emotional while reading about the Wood brothers. They've become all the more real to me now that they're featured in my own stories.

And so it begins! Ahhhhhh I'm loving this story so much that words can't even do it justice! Again, your ability to develop background and refine characterizations is just awe-inspiring. :D Favorites: the description of Tinworth, Bill and Charlie seeming invincible to Percy, Percy noting that Scrimgeor was keenly observant and kinder than Fudge (That was such a small detail, but so accurate, and I loved it), the description of the different family members walking in and out of the Hospital Wing, Fleur having never left Bill's bedside (and taking "the place that would have been Mum's otherwise"), "I guess it's lucky for me she has good taste, then." (I love the banter!), the memory of Charlie letting the Gryffindor team urinate on the Slytherins' brooms (I laughed out loud!), Percy noting the change in the way Fleur carried herself, the obvious love and affection between Bill and Fleur (and Percy feeling like an intruder), Bill's fierce insistence that Fleur is a witch (and the fact that he didn't realize what Percy was implying before Fleur did - it's such a subtle thing, but it says EVERYTHING about Bill's character and his love for Fleur), PERCY PROVING HIMSELF AS A GRYFFINDOR (YES YES YES - and I love the little detail about Percy being able to cast a steller Disillusionment Charm!), the detail about Fleur's grandparents marrying in Belgium (You always have such a rich history for her, it's amazing), Bill's nightmares getting worse closer to the full moon (Definitely!), the conversation between Bill and Fleur about her joining the Order (YES! It's so funny, I just published a story about this last night and our head canons are so similar! I love it!), the mention of Audrey, Krum, and Cedric being Fleur's only friends during the Tournament (I'm so glad you mentioned Krum and Cedric in there too! I really do think that the three of them got along well. Harry was too young to really be a part of the camaraderie, not to mention that he, Ron, and Hermione were pretty much inseparable.), the idea of the Tournament taking a lot out of Fleur (I 100% agree with you there. Especially the third task, when she was taken advantage of like that), and finally, the hint towards the plot of the story at the end. :D This was amazing, Mandy! I look forward to the next chapter!

THIS WAS AMAZING. Your Percy is perfect as usual. I love the idea of him visiting Bill in the Hospital Wing after the rest of the family had gone. And the dinner between Bill, Fleur, and Percy was just so well-written. And Fleur's thoughts at the end tied everything together beautifully. Great job! Can't wait for more!