The three sat side by side, facing the lake with the sun at their backs.
"Plop."
Percy tossed a pebble, sending ripples across the calm surface of the lake.
"Maybe we should go find him," Ginny said from the middle. "After all, he has my wand."
Hermione pursed her lips, while Percy tossed another pebble.
"Why did he take Luna and Neville, but not me?"
Ginny spoke again, turning her head to look at each of them.
"He only chooses people who are willing to follow him, Ginny," Percy said. "Those who don't follow him wholeheartedly aren't much use in the early days of an organization. That's what he said."
"The point is, we're just not useful, Percy. Neville and Luna aren't exactly loyal followers either."
Hermione pursed her lips in annoyance again. She'd been doing that a lot lately, and it made her look rather sour.
"What use are Neville and Luna?" Ginny asked, displeased.
"He already thought highly of Neville last year."
Hermione stood up and waved her hand like Voldemort, saying, "Be bold, children. You are the lions of Gryffindor."
"Pfft."
Ginny burst out laughing. A hint of a smile appeared on Percy's face too, though his beard hid it.
"He really is very charismatic, even though I know he isn't the best one."
Hermione sat back down beside Ginny. She picked up a pebble and tossed it toward the lake like Percy had, then said,
"Percy, do you still think that matter is unacceptable?" Ginny asked, looking at her brother.
The tension returned to Percy's face. After a long, troubled silence, he sighed. "Molly would be heartbroken if she knew I was following him."
Ginny nodded. She didn't want their mother to be heartbroken either.
But unlike her brother, who still had some memories of their