Family Tradition
"Lord, I guess I went and broke their Family Tradition"
Percy Weasley sat at his desk. His in-box was almost completely empty. Percy was one of the last people in his office that evening. He decided that anything that was left could wait. This was an unusual choice for Percy. However, this was an unusual day. As he left the Ministry, he could hear the celebrations. Voldemort was gone. Harry had defeated him in a daylong battle that almost killed the entire Weasley family. Fred, George, Charlie…all gone. His father was at St. Mungo's looking after all who remained. Percy took the keys out of his pocket and opened the door to his apartment. He quickly walked to the small bar he had set up in the living room. He drank two neat scotches in rapid succession. Suddenly there was a distinct tap at the window. A Daily Prophet owl soared in and dropped the evening edition on the coffee table. The owl did not wait for payment, and flew out to continue his rounds.
Percy opened the paper with great caution, almost afraid to see what photos would be on the front page. Percy glanced at the headlines, and one word caught his eye: Weasley. Quickly, Percy read the article. It spoke of the bravery of the Weasley clan. How, when the battle began, the Weasleys gathered themselves and fought as a unit "for the greater good of the wizarding community". The article even mentioned Arthur as a candidate for the Minister of Magic. Someone managed to interview Arthur at St. Mungo's. Arthur informed the reporter that he was very proud of "all of my family that has fought for the side of the Light". Percy sighed. His entire life he wanted to be alone. Growing up in the Burrow, privacy was at a minimum. He liked his quiet, muggle apartment. He liked his steady job of paperwork. And now, looking at the Daily Prophet, he realized that he would give anything to be accepted into that loud, bustling family once more. Percy sat on the couch in the dark. And, very faintly, he could hear the celebrations of a world that didn't seem to include him anymore.