MC4A; Hogwarts
Stacked With: Hogwarts; BAON; FPC; Spring Bingo
Individual Challenges: In a Flash (N); Gryffindor MC (N); Yellow Ribbon (N); Yellow Ribbon Redux (N)
Representations: Percy Weasley; Muriel Weasley; Familial advice
Bonus Challenges: Second Verse (Not a Lamp; White Dress)
Prompts: Percy Weasley & Great Aunt Muriel (auction); Advice (365 words); Percy Weasley (Insane Prompts); Bingo - 1D (Union/Covenant)
Word count: 386
Note: I've edited Percy's name to be Percival because I felt like it.
"Child," Percy closed his eyes and suppressed a groan as he recognised his great-great-aunt Muriel's voice. "What do you think you are doing turning away from your family like this?"
"I have to put my trust in the Ministry, Aunt Muriel. They're siding with Dumbledore and I cannot remain with them."
A heavy hand landed on his shoulder. "The Ministry is an organisation that protects itself as a whole, it does not care for the individual workers within it. Your parents will back you no matter what. The Ministry does not love you as they do."
"I am a good worker for them. I have been ever since I started."
"And yet you could be fired at any moment. Could you not be fired right now if you publicly announced you were siding with your family and Dumbledore?"
Muriel's words made sense but Percy didn't want to believe them. He had to believe in the Ministry of Magic. If that was corrupt, his world would turn upside down. His father had often complained about the disorder and slow pace he faced while at work and Percy had wanted to make sure that was fixed.
"It makes no difference," he said.
"Percival Weasley, our family is one that sticks with each other through thick and thin. We stood behind each other when the Malfoy's declared their blood feud. We banded together when this Dark Lord first tried to sway us to his cause. We do not follow the crowd. We stay with the family."
Percy sighed. "It's too late now, even if I wanted to go back. They wouldn't take me back in."
"Pish posh," Muriel scoffed. "Your mother has been asking me if I've seen you ever since you left the Burrow. As you requested, I did not tell her you were staying here but if you do not see reason soon, I will."
With her mind said, Muriel stalked back out of the room and left Percy with his thoughts. He had expected her to scold him and give him her advice when he first asked if he could stay with her, but he hadn't expected her to make so much sense. He looked up to where a photo of the Weasley family hung. That was where he belonged, with them. Not with the Ministry.