JK Rowling wrote all the wonderful Harry Potter books. She owns the rights to them.

THE JOURNAL OF PERCY I WEASLEY, MARCH 28TH 1998.

The atmosphere at work is now close to unbearable. There is no longer any trust between colleagues. I know that any one of them would unhesitatingly destroy me in order to save themselves. As I would them. I have overheard fellows in my office saying that everyone has a vice or weakness and that these should be used as levers. After some self-examination, it would appear that I do not. Which is a little un-nerving.

The pace of the flow of Muggle-borns down to the courts on the lower floors has abated. There can be few left unregistered. Many are now in Azkaban or have died trying to escape their fate. Of course I celebrate this. Of course I do. My blood is pure. I am safe.

With the Mudbloods under control, the Authorities are turning their attention to other undesirable groups: squibs, vampires, sexual deviants, half-breeds. I am determined to support the government whatever their actions. I have no choice. They are my only source of protection.

My loyalty is still questioned by some of those in power. I hope to silence these doubters when the Legilimens undertake their investigations in my department. I wish they would hurry up and reach our floor. There is little preparation I can undertake. I can only fret impotently. It is like awaiting exam results.

There remains the problem of Penelope Clearwater. Her blood status is well known. Not only is her name on the register, but she was singled out for attack by the Basilisk. Unfortunately my previous attachment to her is also well known.

It is fortunate, given current Government thinking, that our relationship petered out in a most unpleasant and acrimonious way. Indeed, I am now unable to recall a single pleasant moment spent in her company. When she was in a state of petrifaction I had been worried about her, but there were times afterwards that I considered such a condition to have been preferable.

Like my brothers, she found my ambitiousness a source of humour. She enjoyed undermining my hard-won confidence. She even used the word 'pompous' when she was cross with me.

With hind-sight I am able to attribute our difficulties with physical intimacy to her Muggle blood. As I had been raised by Blood Traitors, they had failed to explain to me the natural defence mechanism which the body of a Pureblood wizard employs in order to avoid an unhealthy union.

She chose to find other explanations for my 'failures'. Some of these referred to my more delicate, less muscular physique. Others involved vile, impure desires which she liked to imagine I entertained. I have no memory of having experienced sexual desire for anyone other than a Pureblood witch.

Mem 4, Wembury Beach, August 1988

It was a gloriously sunny day on a sandy beach in a sheltered bay. The place was packed full of local Muggles, tourist Muggles, the Diggories and Percy. Mr and Mrs Diggory lay dozing on brightly-coloured towels, sheltered by a large umbrella stuck in the sand. Cedric had a shiny new red bucket and spade set and Percy directed him as he built a sand Hogwarts Castle.

"The Astronomy tower is in the middle. It's the tallest and it's got a flat roof."

"I got an Astronomy book in Diagon Alley last week. And a new wand and an owl and robes and a new broom!" Cedric announced excitedly.

"You got everything brand new?" Percy asked, adding sharply, "First Years aren't allowed brooms."

Cedric's swimming trunks looked new, too. Percy's were washed out, patched and a bit big.

"Where's the Quidditch pitch?" Cedric asked.

Percy sulkily indicated it with his foot. "I won't have children 'til I can afford to buy them everything new. I'm going to get a good job that pays well. Like your Dad. My Dad's useless, he's got no ambition."

"I like your Dad. He's funny."

"I'd rather be taken seriously," Percy replied. "Was your Dad a Prefect?"

Cedric shook his head. "But he was Hufflepuff Quidditch captain. D'you think I'll be in Hufflepuff?" he asked, an anxious note to his voice.

"Don't you want to be in Gryffindor like me?" Percy sounded hurt.

"Fred and George might be Gryffindors," Cedric muttered.

"They should be Slytherins!" Percy declared. "Slytherins are horrible. Hufflepuffs are all right. But I want us to have the same common room." Percy indicated Cedric's complex sand construction, saying "That looks done to me."

Cedric picked up a small, smooth stone and moved it in little jumps up the steps and in through the front door.

"That's me," he said, "going to the Hall after Quidditch practice."

"Are you looking forward to going?" Percy asked.

"Yeah, you make it sound brilliant."

The two friends grinned at each other.

Cedric jumped up, shouting, "Let's go rock climbing!"

He ran down the beach and Percy walked after him. Where the bay curved out of sight, a series of rocks stuck out of the water. The waves broke round them, splashing white foam into the air. Cedric sat on one of the rocks, waiting for Percy, his feet in the water. His seat was covered in slimy green weed and sharp little barnacles. Percy eyed it unsurely.

Cedric laughed and stretched an arm to the older boy. "I'll make sure you don't fall off!"

Percy grasped the proffered hand and let himself be pulled up. A big wave rolled by. He tried to wipe the spray off his glasses. They clambered steadily until they were out of sight of the beach, Cedric relaxed and chattering, Percy concentrating on his movements.

Cedric asked, "What are the girls like at Hogwarts? Are they pretty? Or are they a bit too clever? Have you ever kissed any of them?" He turned his head back for Percy's answer, which was a simple shake of the head. Cedric continued, "I've kissed four girls."

Percy's frown deepened. He said nothing.

"Haven't you ever kissed anyone?" Cedric asked.

Percy looked at his feet, shook his head again and sat down on a fairly large rock. Cedric sat himself next to him and they looked out over the sea. One wispy blue cloud skittered its way across the blue sky.

After a silence, Percy asked, "What's it like? Kissing?"

Cedric looked behind him. The curve of the headland hid them from the beach completely.

"Like this," he answered, holding Percy by the shoulders and pressing their mouths together for a few seconds.

A wave broke over the rock they were sitting on and splashed them. Cedric put a hand on the cliff behind to steady them both.

"What's the most boring subject?" Cedric asked. "That History of Magic book is really heavy but I didn't like the look of all those lists in the Potions one, either."

Percy blinked, then replied slowly, "Potions is quite interesting, actually, but the teacher doesn't like Gryffindors."

"Why not? What about Hufflepuffs?" Cedric asked, taking his hand from Percy's shoulder and returning his gaze to the horizon.

Percy stared at the blond boy as he gave a halting explanation about Snape, the dungeons and House Points.