@ @ @ @
Wow, this is my first attempt at fan fiction...EVER. So please be kind, I hope you like this story but if you don't please tell me how I can make it better.
There are no warnings for this chapter but the rating may rise with other chapters, and there might be a chance (read: incy-winsy, little, microscopic) that there is slash in the later chapters. It depends on my mood.
Severus Snape will be one of the main characters, he just doesn't feature to heavily in this chapter or probably the next.
BTW- I can't claim to have read the Fifth book, and I can't remember much of the fourth so this story isn't going correspond with the real time line, but then again it is fan fiction isn't it.
@ @ @ @
CHAPTER ONE
@ @ @ @
Percy Weasley sighed as he ran a pale and delicate hand through his hair. For the last few hours he had poured over the latest copy of the International Wizarding Supply Standards, verifying the statistics from Britain against that of Europe. The job was dull and tedious, but Percy, in his single-minded determination, had tackled the task as if it was of the upmost importance.
Just as he started to compare the age of Flobber worm juice used in Hogwarts to the I.W.S.S a sleek grey screech owl landed on his desk. Percy recognised the owl immediately and felt his chest puff out in pride. The owl was the Minister's personal and he didn't send it after just anyone.
He reached out across the desk and untied the owl's burden. The creature snapped at him before flying out the window and back to its master. Percy stared at the parchment in his hand with something akin to awe. He turned the scroll over and sure enough it bore the official red stamp of the Ministry.
He opened the letter, taking great care not to damage the seal, he could cut it off and put it in his treasures box, along with his school reports, head boy badge and the picture of Penny. His eyes darted from side to side as he scanned the letter
It read:
Ministry Of Magic
Britain
229 Diagon Alley
Mr Percival Weasley
It is our duty as the members of the current Ministry of Magic to inform you of your selection in the initial test of Potion Master.
It is a great honour to be chosen, as only 10 wizards from the whole population qualify successfully to the preliminary list. We wish to inform you that there is no option for withdrawal *, as you were the second choice nomination. As law stands, it is not within your power to refuse after the withdrawal of Mr Draconis Memoch Malfoy.
You shall be expected at 13.00 sharp outside the front entrance of the Ministry headquarters on Wednesday the 13th of July. Failure to comply will result in a sentence of 5 years to Azkaban, or the permanent removal of your wand.
You will be required to bring with you a regular size lead cauldron, roll of standard blank parchment, non-smudging black ink and quill.
On behalf of the Ministers Board
C. Fudge
*- The option may become available to participants who are unable to attend because death (their own)
Percy was still for a few moments, of all the letters that he had expected that was certainly not one of them. He briefly toyed with the idea of taking the rest of the day off to celebrate at his favourite restaurant but the urge was subdued.
He placed the letter carefully in the inside pocket of his robe. There was plenty of time for him to get excited later but right now he had standards to check.
@ @ @ @
By the time he had completed updating the recent files to his standards and submitted a full report on the variations of British supplies compared to the rest of the world, it was time for him to leave for the Burrow.
The Hogwarts year was well under way so, as usual, the only members of the Weasley family at home were Fred, George and Molly and Arthur. The note had been forgotten for the most part since he received it. There was no one at work to show it to and if he announced it to his colleagues they would just use it against him in the long run.
Percy walked into the kitchen, "Mum" he called out, " are you in here? It's Percy". Molly climbed out slowly from the top shelves of the pantry and rushed over to hug him, her apron covered in muck and grime.
"Percy, how as your day dear ", asked Molly before she thought of something better, "no, wait. Take these out to the kitchen table and tell us all over dinner". With that she pushed him through the door, a plate of steaming chicken in one hand and a bowl of rice in the other.
The smell of food brought Fred and George out of their room and down to the kitchen table, where they were in deep conversation.
"It needs more-"
"-shock Fred, it needs shock", cut in George.
"Yes, but, my dear George, there is a severe lack of bang". Fred ended their conversation when he saw his 'favourite' brother was home.
"Perce, how was work? Let me guess, the Minister came over and personally congratulated you on that wonderful report you wrote on, what was it?" "Feather use in quills" chimed in George, happy to supply his twin with the answer.
"Ah yes, thank you Georgie, the most common feathers used in quills"
Percy's face got redder and redder until it was almost the same shade as his hair, it was mostly out of embarrassment but there was a bit of that anger he always felt when he talked with the twins.
Molly entered the room and immediately diffused the situation in the way only a mother could. She snapped out commands in quick succession and her orders were followed. "Fred, George- table now, Percy- wash your hand, ARTHUR- DINNER TIME"
Dinner went the same way it usually did. Fred and George joked around and talked amongst themselves about their latest inventions and Arthur discussed the latest muggle artefact he had discovered while Molly listened. The chance for Percy to make his announcement did not come until the end of dinner.
"Umm, today I received a letter from Minister Fudge. I have been chosen to ...try out for the position of potions master assistant." Percy fumbled around in his pocket and withdrew the letter before handing it to his father.
Molly was the first one to recover her breath, "Oh Percy that's wonderful you're such a talented boy. Where did you get it from, I wasn't any good at potions in my school days, it must be from your Great Uncle Edward he was so good at potions."
She got up from her seat and wrapped him in a hug. Percy patted her head as he felt tears soak into his shirt right above his stomach. His father finished reading the letter and looked at him with pride shining in his eyes.
"Congratulations Percy, I always knew that studying would pay off some day". The compliment from his father filled Percy's heart with pride, the opinion of his father meant a lot to him.
The twins had picked up the letter after his father had discarded it and they were reading it with mirror frowns of concentration. When they looked up they were genuinely smiling, something that Percy hadn't seen directed to him too many times in the last few years.
They seemed happy to watch him be smothered by his mother's affection without commenting for once, and Percy was glad, this was one of the best moments he had ever had.
@ @ @ @
Percy apparated into work the next morning at exactly with exactly one tenth of a second until 6.00a.m only to find that his office desk was bare except for a small note on the middle of the table.
Minutes later he apparated back to he burrow, a shocked and heartbroken look on his face. He walked up through the kitchen and straight to his room where he proceeded to slam the door, much to the bewilderment of George who was sitting at the table.
Mrs Weasley felt the waves of extreme sadness that came from her middle son from where she was washing clothes. Clothes were abandoned as she raced up to the bedroom of Percy. She loved all her children equally but there had always been something about Percy that had urged out motherly feelings.
His door was locked but Molly had made the locks to grant her access to the room at any time. Percy was sprawled out on his bed, he had removed his ministry robe and flung it half out the window. Molly tsked as she retrieved it and hung it up carefully.
"Percy, you need to take better care of your clothes. You'll need that robe for a long time and it's too expensive to keep on buying new ones."
"No I won't", was Percy's despondent answer.
Molly smiled at him and sat herself on the edge of his bed, " what are you talking about dear, you have a good career ahead of you".
Percy turned his head to look at her, his eyes were blank and hard. "No I won't" he repeated, "I was fired".
Molly instinctively waited for the smile that meant it was a joke as she did whenever she was talking with the twins but when nothing changed she patted his leg and took one of his hands in hers.
After a moment of silence she asked, "what happened?" Percy shrugged his shoulders as much as he could and averted his gaze. Molly didn't know how he felt about the ministry but she was determined to comfort him as best as she could.
Percy let himself be gathered up in her arms and he vaguely felt that she was stroking his hair, he was silent and she was willing to let him be. He stayed in the warmth of his mothers arms for almost an hour, it was only when he started squirming around that she released him and watched as he almost ran to the toilet.
When Percy came out of the bathroom his mother had gone but there was a cup of tea and a piece of cake sitting on his bedside table. He sat down at his desk and did what he had always done best, study.
@ @ @ @
Ginny was surprised when Hermes fluttered through her window and crash- dived onto her bed. It wasn't the fact that Percy had sent her a letter, but more that for the first time in two years that he had sent her weekly letter on a Tuesday instead of a Wednesday.
She scrambled over to Hermes and untied the note, ruffling his feathers while she was at it. She scooped out some of the owl treats that she kept in her drawer and settled down to read the letter as the bird flew away.
Ginny's face erupted in a smile as she read the good news but by the end of the letter she looked as if she might break into tears any second. Hopping off the bed she picked up the note and went to find Ron.
As usual he was up in his dorm room with Harry and Hermoine. Ginny crept up the stairs and knocked tentatively at the door. Not only was she cursed with shyness, her ill-fated crush on Harry was still alive.
The door opened and she was very relieved when she saw it was Hermoine, who invited her in without questions. Ron however looked annoyed that one member of his family was invading his space. "What do you want Gin?" he asked, Harry shot him a glance, smiled at her and waved.
"I got a letter from Percy today" here she stopped at the noise that Ron made, " he had good news and bad news." At this Ron perked up and looked vaguely interested, he gestured for her to go on.
"The good news is that he was accepted to the starting exams as a Potions Assistant, and the bad is ...he got fired."
Ron couldn't contain the laugh that erupted at the news. It just didn't seem possible that Percy could get fired from any job. Harry seemed torn between sympathy and amusement, she was already angry with Ron but at least he was trying.
Hermoine however, had her thinking face on, the one that generally meant that Ron and Harry were in for a lecture or a new theory. " Ginny, what do you mean buy potions assistant?" she asked. Ginny shrugged then handed over the letter for Hermoine's inspection.
She scanned it and then her face lit up and she shared her thoughts with all present. " This is a big honour for Percy, only 10 wizards in the whole world get accepted to even try out, and only one gets chosen as the Potion Master in training. It's very interesting, I want to know more about it, is anyone interested in coming up to the library with me?"
But Hermoine, knowing what her friends were like had already gotten up and started for the door. When no one jumped up to join her she exited with a wave.
Ron and Harry had gone back to looking at their Quidditch magazine and Ginny had occupied herself with re-reading the letter. Just as she was about to get up and leave Hermoine raced back in, a thick book under her arm.
In between pants she managed to say, "You'll...never guess...what I...foundout"
@ @ @ @
In this story Percy is 20 or 21 years old, Ron, Harry and Hermoine are 16 and Ginny is 14/15. Snape is 38. I know this might not be fully accurate but it ties into my story this way.
Sorry if that was a cliffhanger but I had to end it there. Please review, it would mean a lot to me.
Wow, this is my first attempt at fan fiction...EVER. So please be kind, I hope you like this story but if you don't please tell me how I can make it better.
There are no warnings for this chapter but the rating may rise with other chapters, and there might be a chance (read: incy-winsy, little, microscopic) that there is slash in the later chapters. It depends on my mood.
Severus Snape will be one of the main characters, he just doesn't feature to heavily in this chapter or probably the next.
BTW- I can't claim to have read the Fifth book, and I can't remember much of the fourth so this story isn't going correspond with the real time line, but then again it is fan fiction isn't it.
@ @ @ @
CHAPTER ONE
@ @ @ @
Percy Weasley sighed as he ran a pale and delicate hand through his hair. For the last few hours he had poured over the latest copy of the International Wizarding Supply Standards, verifying the statistics from Britain against that of Europe. The job was dull and tedious, but Percy, in his single-minded determination, had tackled the task as if it was of the upmost importance.
Just as he started to compare the age of Flobber worm juice used in Hogwarts to the I.W.S.S a sleek grey screech owl landed on his desk. Percy recognised the owl immediately and felt his chest puff out in pride. The owl was the Minister's personal and he didn't send it after just anyone.
He reached out across the desk and untied the owl's burden. The creature snapped at him before flying out the window and back to its master. Percy stared at the parchment in his hand with something akin to awe. He turned the scroll over and sure enough it bore the official red stamp of the Ministry.
He opened the letter, taking great care not to damage the seal, he could cut it off and put it in his treasures box, along with his school reports, head boy badge and the picture of Penny. His eyes darted from side to side as he scanned the letter
It read:
Ministry Of Magic
Britain
229 Diagon Alley
Mr Percival Weasley
It is our duty as the members of the current Ministry of Magic to inform you of your selection in the initial test of Potion Master.
It is a great honour to be chosen, as only 10 wizards from the whole population qualify successfully to the preliminary list. We wish to inform you that there is no option for withdrawal *, as you were the second choice nomination. As law stands, it is not within your power to refuse after the withdrawal of Mr Draconis Memoch Malfoy.
You shall be expected at 13.00 sharp outside the front entrance of the Ministry headquarters on Wednesday the 13th of July. Failure to comply will result in a sentence of 5 years to Azkaban, or the permanent removal of your wand.
You will be required to bring with you a regular size lead cauldron, roll of standard blank parchment, non-smudging black ink and quill.
On behalf of the Ministers Board
C. Fudge
*- The option may become available to participants who are unable to attend because death (their own)
Percy was still for a few moments, of all the letters that he had expected that was certainly not one of them. He briefly toyed with the idea of taking the rest of the day off to celebrate at his favourite restaurant but the urge was subdued.
He placed the letter carefully in the inside pocket of his robe. There was plenty of time for him to get excited later but right now he had standards to check.
@ @ @ @
By the time he had completed updating the recent files to his standards and submitted a full report on the variations of British supplies compared to the rest of the world, it was time for him to leave for the Burrow.
The Hogwarts year was well under way so, as usual, the only members of the Weasley family at home were Fred, George and Molly and Arthur. The note had been forgotten for the most part since he received it. There was no one at work to show it to and if he announced it to his colleagues they would just use it against him in the long run.
Percy walked into the kitchen, "Mum" he called out, " are you in here? It's Percy". Molly climbed out slowly from the top shelves of the pantry and rushed over to hug him, her apron covered in muck and grime.
"Percy, how as your day dear ", asked Molly before she thought of something better, "no, wait. Take these out to the kitchen table and tell us all over dinner". With that she pushed him through the door, a plate of steaming chicken in one hand and a bowl of rice in the other.
The smell of food brought Fred and George out of their room and down to the kitchen table, where they were in deep conversation.
"It needs more-"
"-shock Fred, it needs shock", cut in George.
"Yes, but, my dear George, there is a severe lack of bang". Fred ended their conversation when he saw his 'favourite' brother was home.
"Perce, how was work? Let me guess, the Minister came over and personally congratulated you on that wonderful report you wrote on, what was it?" "Feather use in quills" chimed in George, happy to supply his twin with the answer.
"Ah yes, thank you Georgie, the most common feathers used in quills"
Percy's face got redder and redder until it was almost the same shade as his hair, it was mostly out of embarrassment but there was a bit of that anger he always felt when he talked with the twins.
Molly entered the room and immediately diffused the situation in the way only a mother could. She snapped out commands in quick succession and her orders were followed. "Fred, George- table now, Percy- wash your hand, ARTHUR- DINNER TIME"
Dinner went the same way it usually did. Fred and George joked around and talked amongst themselves about their latest inventions and Arthur discussed the latest muggle artefact he had discovered while Molly listened. The chance for Percy to make his announcement did not come until the end of dinner.
"Umm, today I received a letter from Minister Fudge. I have been chosen to ...try out for the position of potions master assistant." Percy fumbled around in his pocket and withdrew the letter before handing it to his father.
Molly was the first one to recover her breath, "Oh Percy that's wonderful you're such a talented boy. Where did you get it from, I wasn't any good at potions in my school days, it must be from your Great Uncle Edward he was so good at potions."
She got up from her seat and wrapped him in a hug. Percy patted her head as he felt tears soak into his shirt right above his stomach. His father finished reading the letter and looked at him with pride shining in his eyes.
"Congratulations Percy, I always knew that studying would pay off some day". The compliment from his father filled Percy's heart with pride, the opinion of his father meant a lot to him.
The twins had picked up the letter after his father had discarded it and they were reading it with mirror frowns of concentration. When they looked up they were genuinely smiling, something that Percy hadn't seen directed to him too many times in the last few years.
They seemed happy to watch him be smothered by his mother's affection without commenting for once, and Percy was glad, this was one of the best moments he had ever had.
@ @ @ @
Percy apparated into work the next morning at exactly with exactly one tenth of a second until 6.00a.m only to find that his office desk was bare except for a small note on the middle of the table.
Minutes later he apparated back to he burrow, a shocked and heartbroken look on his face. He walked up through the kitchen and straight to his room where he proceeded to slam the door, much to the bewilderment of George who was sitting at the table.
Mrs Weasley felt the waves of extreme sadness that came from her middle son from where she was washing clothes. Clothes were abandoned as she raced up to the bedroom of Percy. She loved all her children equally but there had always been something about Percy that had urged out motherly feelings.
His door was locked but Molly had made the locks to grant her access to the room at any time. Percy was sprawled out on his bed, he had removed his ministry robe and flung it half out the window. Molly tsked as she retrieved it and hung it up carefully.
"Percy, you need to take better care of your clothes. You'll need that robe for a long time and it's too expensive to keep on buying new ones."
"No I won't", was Percy's despondent answer.
Molly smiled at him and sat herself on the edge of his bed, " what are you talking about dear, you have a good career ahead of you".
Percy turned his head to look at her, his eyes were blank and hard. "No I won't" he repeated, "I was fired".
Molly instinctively waited for the smile that meant it was a joke as she did whenever she was talking with the twins but when nothing changed she patted his leg and took one of his hands in hers.
After a moment of silence she asked, "what happened?" Percy shrugged his shoulders as much as he could and averted his gaze. Molly didn't know how he felt about the ministry but she was determined to comfort him as best as she could.
Percy let himself be gathered up in her arms and he vaguely felt that she was stroking his hair, he was silent and she was willing to let him be. He stayed in the warmth of his mothers arms for almost an hour, it was only when he started squirming around that she released him and watched as he almost ran to the toilet.
When Percy came out of the bathroom his mother had gone but there was a cup of tea and a piece of cake sitting on his bedside table. He sat down at his desk and did what he had always done best, study.
@ @ @ @
Ginny was surprised when Hermes fluttered through her window and crash- dived onto her bed. It wasn't the fact that Percy had sent her a letter, but more that for the first time in two years that he had sent her weekly letter on a Tuesday instead of a Wednesday.
She scrambled over to Hermes and untied the note, ruffling his feathers while she was at it. She scooped out some of the owl treats that she kept in her drawer and settled down to read the letter as the bird flew away.
Ginny's face erupted in a smile as she read the good news but by the end of the letter she looked as if she might break into tears any second. Hopping off the bed she picked up the note and went to find Ron.
As usual he was up in his dorm room with Harry and Hermoine. Ginny crept up the stairs and knocked tentatively at the door. Not only was she cursed with shyness, her ill-fated crush on Harry was still alive.
The door opened and she was very relieved when she saw it was Hermoine, who invited her in without questions. Ron however looked annoyed that one member of his family was invading his space. "What do you want Gin?" he asked, Harry shot him a glance, smiled at her and waved.
"I got a letter from Percy today" here she stopped at the noise that Ron made, " he had good news and bad news." At this Ron perked up and looked vaguely interested, he gestured for her to go on.
"The good news is that he was accepted to the starting exams as a Potions Assistant, and the bad is ...he got fired."
Ron couldn't contain the laugh that erupted at the news. It just didn't seem possible that Percy could get fired from any job. Harry seemed torn between sympathy and amusement, she was already angry with Ron but at least he was trying.
Hermoine however, had her thinking face on, the one that generally meant that Ron and Harry were in for a lecture or a new theory. " Ginny, what do you mean buy potions assistant?" she asked. Ginny shrugged then handed over the letter for Hermoine's inspection.
She scanned it and then her face lit up and she shared her thoughts with all present. " This is a big honour for Percy, only 10 wizards in the whole world get accepted to even try out, and only one gets chosen as the Potion Master in training. It's very interesting, I want to know more about it, is anyone interested in coming up to the library with me?"
But Hermoine, knowing what her friends were like had already gotten up and started for the door. When no one jumped up to join her she exited with a wave.
Ron and Harry had gone back to looking at their Quidditch magazine and Ginny had occupied herself with re-reading the letter. Just as she was about to get up and leave Hermoine raced back in, a thick book under her arm.
In between pants she managed to say, "You'll...never guess...what I...foundout"
@ @ @ @
In this story Percy is 20 or 21 years old, Ron, Harry and Hermoine are 16 and Ginny is 14/15. Snape is 38. I know this might not be fully accurate but it ties into my story this way.
Sorry if that was a cliffhanger but I had to end it there. Please review, it would mean a lot to me.