July 3, 1995

The late afternoon air was still outside the burrow until Percy Weasley apparated onto the front step.

"Mother," he called, "great news!"

His mother looked up from her cooking, she seemed distracted about something. Probably just the shock of the death of Cedric Diggory two weeks ago. Nothing to worry about, Percy was sure.

"Mother," he said proudly, "I've been promoted."

His mother was shocked silent for a moment then let out a small cry of joy and hurried forward to hug her son. It wasn't quite what Percy had been hoping for. His mother's celebratory cries were usually... more so. Ever since the end of the Triwizard Tournament, she'd been so put down. Surely Cedric Diggory's death couldn't have hit her that bad, she hardly knew the boy.

"What's your position now?" Mrs. Weasley asked.

Percy was unnerved now. She'd asked so differently than she usually did. This was getting ridiculous.

"Personal Assistant to Cornelius Fudge," Percy said, proudly.

Mrs. Weasley let out a soft 'oh' and went back to cooking.

Percy was getting upset. "Mother," he said, standing at her side, "what's troubling you?"

"Well, it's just..." Molly hesitated. "Why do you think you've been given such a promotion... this early in your career? And... after all that happened... with Mr. Crouch..."

Percy shrugged. "The Minister recognizes loyalty and he forgives mistakes."

A moment later, Arthur apparated to the door step and entered the kitchen. "Evening, Molly," he said.

"Kids, dinner!" Molly called upstairs. Percy listened as four sets of footfalls started clambering down the stairs.

"Arthur," Molly said. "Percy's been promoted!"

Mr. Weasley's reaction was much the same as his wife's, which Percy now realized was forced.

It was a very tense dinner. Percy couldn't understand why his parents were not truly happy about his promotion. He was personal assistant to the Minister of Magic for Merlin's sake.

"Any word from Harry, Ron?" Mrs. Weasley asked.

Ron swallowed his mouthful and said, "No. I'm worried about him."

"Yes, the Minister is too," Percy interjected. Everybody visibly tensed. Percy pressed on. "Yes, Mr. Fudge is very worried that Harry may try something else to get more publicity. We don't want him pulling a stunt like he did with the Goblet of Fire in the Muggle world."

The rest of the family looked murderous. "Pulling a stunt?" Ginny repeated, her eyes flashing dangerously.

"Oh, yes," said George, sarcastically. "The Minister's got EVERYONE'S best interest at heart."

Finally, Percy couldn't take it anymore.

"What is wrong with all of you!" he shouted.

His mother looked taken aback. Mr. Weasley slammed his fork and knife down on the table and stood up in an almost intimidating manner. "Percy, are you really this stupid?" he demanded.

Percy was shocked. His own father? Call him stupid?

"Do you really not understand why Fudge has given you this promotion?" Mr. Weasley's eyes were boring into his son with intensity. "He's afraid of Dumbledore! He thinks that Dumbledore's making up that You-Know-Who has returned and he's got Harry to play along! He thinks Dumbledore's making a power grab at his office!"

Percy of course knew all of this, and up to this point, he'd privately agreed with the Minister. But he couldn't bottle it in anymore.

"Of course Dumbledore wants Mr. Fudge's job!" Percy shouted. "It's all he's ever wanted. I've heard all the stories, how ambitious the old man has been ever since he was in Hogwarts! How he's always tried to usurp the Ministry with his secret Order. And now he's trying to get the entire wizarding community afraid of a threat that hasn't been seen or heard from in thirteen years!" Percy breathed heavily. "The only proof Dumbledore has of You-Know-Who returning is Harry Potter's word, and you'll forgive me if I don't trust him with all the stunts he pulled last year. It's obvious he's using his own tragic life to get his name in the papers more often. It's dirty and it's sick and it makes me sick thinking what an influence that boy is on Ron!"

"Percy, shut up!" shouted Fred, standing now. "Dumbledore's right. This isn't some conspiracy, this is the truth and as much as you'd like to go on living in Percy world where everything's bright and happy, this is the real world where You-Know-Who has returned to power and if the Ministry doesn't act soon, everyone would be in very real danger!"

"You're wrong!" Percy shouted. "All of you!" He stammered wordlessly. How could they? How COULD they? "You're either with Dumbledore or you're with the Ministry." He turned his glaring gaze at Mr. Weasley. "Father?"

Mr. Weasley didn't even hesitate. "Dumbledore."

Percy felt as if he'd been hit in the stomach by the whomping willow. "Fine. I see how it is." There was a long silence as the rest of the family wondered what Percy was thinking. "I'll be back for my things later," he finally decided, and with that, he left the house and disappeared into the darkness.