Disclaimer: I own nothing.
"Mum is very upset because of you, - he says and then almost unwillingly adds, - we all are".
I raise one eyebrow in the way that would make professor Snape proud: "I might have agreed to continue this conversation if you talked only about Mother. But the last part of your sentence is an absolute lie. Please leave my office. I have things to do, you know".
"Percy, listen. I did mean the second part, - he argues. – And even if I didn't you can't ignore Mum's feelings. First Father was injured. Then Bill… And now you are not coming to Bill's wedding…".
"Leave my office, Charlie, please", - I say coldly.
He leaves slamming the door behind himself. I close my eyes. I feel tired. This conversation seems to have taken all my strength although it couldn't have lasted more than a couple of minutes.
Many people would call me cruel if they heard this conversation. They would never call Fred or George cruel, if they had witnessed any of their jokes. Childish. Crazy. Unthinking. But not cruel. But that's exactly how I always saw their jokes.
I have no sense of humour. May be. But, God forgive me, what is so bad or funny in following the rules, being a prefect, being worried because they put themselves in danger by their stupid pranks?
Ron told me that I was worried about becoming a Prefect and not about Ginny when I told him of for going into the girls toilet in my sixth year. It wasn't true. I was… I was worried about him getting in trouble, about Mum worrying. After Bill and Charlie left school, I became the eldest brother who had to look after the younger ones. My parents always told me about that. And I took my duties seriously. That's all.
I was never good at expressing my feelings. With Fred and George making fun of every single word or act I learnt not to show too much emotions, I tried not to show any at all actually. I know that they thought me cold and distant, even parents, but that was better than being made fun of. Well, they made fun of me at any rate but this way their jokes weren't as near their aim as they could have been.
I am ambitious. May be. But every person has it's own aim. Mum was really against that jokeshop. But now she think that it's OK. They went against parents' wishes but now their business is booming and everyone is happy.
I am the only child who followed my Father's footsteps, went to the Ministry. I love my Father. But I am not him. And his reputation in the Ministry is not really good. I am different. I wanted to create my own reputation and not to become one more Weasley. Too many ambitions. May be. But I paid for that after Mr. Crouch's death. Did they help me then, when I felt broken and lonely? No. Not really. They couldn't forgive me my – what's it's called- arrogance? But they were supposed to be my family. If I left any of my brothers in a similar situation… But it's OK for them to do exactly that.
Then, regardless of my mistake with Mr. Crouch, I was promoted. They all got angry, especially, Father. I know why. I (really) expected them to be. But… Even if it wasn't so, there was a possibility, even if a small one, that I was promoted because of myself and not because Fudge wanted a spy in our family. It wouldn't have hurt to check. But Father didn't give me a possibility to say a single word. And then a got angry as well.
I overreacted. I know. But after deciding once, I couldn't go back. I was angry at Father for not listening to me. I was angry with Mother for not standing by me in that battle between me and my Father. I was angry with others for believing me to be a traitor, even if I knew in my heart that they expected it from me. Always expected. My letter to Ron was an act of anger. I never expected him to follow anything of what I recommended him, although I truly saw no reason to go against Dolores Umbridge. As if it would have helped anyone or anything.
To Hell with all that. There is no reason to think about it. Nothing will change it all. I am not going to apologize. I was wrong. I would have admitted that but only if I knew that they would apologize in return as they were wrong as well. But we'll never have a normal conversation. We never had real conversations before. It's unlikely to have one now.
I close the door of my office and suddenly come face to face with Charlie.
"I told you to leave as far as I remember", - I point out coldly.
"To leave your office. You can't order me to leave the Ministry. Percy, we need to talk. Your working day is over. We can and must talk", - he says.
"Look. I am tired. And there is nothing to talk about", - I reply and turn to leave.
He places a hand on my shoulder and doesn't let me go: "There is loads to talk about. I want to know why".
"Why what?" - I reply angrily.
"Why you left and why you are not coming back", - he answers quietly. There is no anger or disgust in his voice or his eyes. He looks me in the eyes. And I see pain and misunderstanding in his eyes.
I take a deep breath and do my best to prevent my voice from trembling: 'Fine. Let's go to my place".