Percy Weasley sometimes feels that his ascension to the position of Minister for Magic reads like the background stories to some of the contestants on those terrifying talent programs he watches as a part of Muggle-Wizard small talk. He was initially dubious about the idea but Hermione had insisted that it would help ease negotiations.
She's right of course, granted his initial question concerning Cheryl Cole's outfit is met with shrugs from the two men, but miraculously his follow up question works, asking the New Prime Minister and his new deputy their opinion on whether Diva Fever should have been axed sparks off a whole conversation between the three men. They in turn quiz him about his opinion on Simon Cowell and his empire, Percy remains neutral and feigns ignorance while mentally making a note to take the former Slyverin to task about his actions of late.
After all, how else do you explain Jedward?
He is from a lowly impoverished home born into a Pure Blood but relatively un-aspiring and unappreciated family. He had gained excellent academic results and shown promise from the outset during his stint as Prefect and Head Boy and had risen through the ranks of the political world swiftly with an undercurrent of corruption which he had been ignorant of.
He had fought valiantly in a war that threatened the existence of the world he's been campaigning to help run and keep safe. Adding to his story of hard work, honesty and courage were the details of his father's near fatal injury during a covert mission and the death of Fred in the battle against the Dark Lord. Percy knew that his friendship with Harry Potter had no doubt helped a little also but he preferred not to dwell on that aspect of it.
Percy pushes his horn-rimmed glasses up his nose and surveys his office, he'd always played down his back story leaving it to others to amp up as he knew they would, instead wowing the world with quick rhetoric and sound policies and the hither to unknown charisma, of which he had buckets.
There are many pictures adorning the walls a few family then the obligatory portraits of Ministers gone by. His eyes are caught as they always are by a picture taken at Ginny and Harry's wedding a few years back, they are gazing happily into each others eyes whispering things to each other and laughing shyly. His mother is crying silently with joy and his father looks so proud. His brothers are all grouped with Hermione and a few other friends from school clapping and smiling. At the side of the frame just the right side of being in shot Percy stands, in a suit of course but the tie is loosened and he looks relaxed and happy as he leans into the friendly arm about his shoulder that belongs to Oliver Wood. They are smiling as happily as everyone else though Percy sometimes imagines he can see some wistfulness in their eyes. He continues to stare at the idyllic scene for a few minutes before laughing out loud, startling the other portraits who had been slumbering.
Percy clutched his sides as he laughed, he really was the perfect X-factor contestant. He'd had his sob story, he'd had talent and when he'd won he'd come out as gay.