The characters of the Harry Potter universe belong to Ms. Rowlings, and I'm borrowing them for my own imagination.

Chapter 7 - Back to Work

Percy stepped out of the Floo in the Ministry of Magic on his first day at work as a spy for Kingsley. He was tired, but hoped it didn't show. Last night after the nightmare, he couldn't go back to sleep. Every time he close his eyes, he saw Penny burning alive. Kingsley had reassured him that she had been killed before the fire, but he was still having a hard time getting the thought out of his mind.

Once Audrey had gotten Molly to calm down and back to sleep. Percy just spent the rest of the night watching his daughter sleep. No matter what, he had to keep her safe. So this morning he called up every ounce of his Gryffindor courage and started on his new life as a spy for Kingsley and the Order.

He walked purposefully to the lifts, with his brief case in hand, ever the over enthusiastic assistant to the Minister. He was standing quietly in the lift when he saw first Kingsley then his father step on the lift. Kingsley was standing behind him, while his father stood stiffly next to him.

As he road the lift with the eight others he listened as the operator voice announced each floor.

"Level seven, Department of Magical Sports and Games." No one exited.

"Level six, Department of Magical Transportation." One exited and one entered.

"Level five, Department of Magical Cooperation." Three exited.

"Level four, Department of Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures." One entered.

"Level three, Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes." Two exited.

"Level two, Department of Magical Law Enforcement." First his father quietly left, but not before glancing at Percy as if wanted to say something then deciding against it. He was followed by two others, then Kingsley, who squeezed Percy's shoulder reassuringly before exiting.

The doors closed leaving Percy alone in the elevator.

"Level one, Minister of Magic's office." Percy taking a deep breath exited the lift.

"Oh, good Mr. Weasley you are here." Dolores Umbridge said as he entered his cubicle.

"Yes, how can I help you Madame Under Secretary?" Percy asked in his best kiss up attitude.

"I have the list of person's whose status needs to be update on the Muggle-born lists. The persons marked for reward, that information needs to be included in a memo to Mr. Yaxley. Warrants need to be put out for their capture." She informed him handing him sheet of paper.

He sat down at his desk, pulling out parchment and quill he began the memo to Yaxley first.

From the Office of Dolores Jane Umbridge

Under-Secretary to the Minister of Magic

via Percival Ignatius Weasley

Junior Assistant to the Minister of Magic

Mr. Yaxley;

The following is a list of supposed Muggle-born witches and wizards who are wanted for questioning be the Ministry. After each name will list the reward for the capture of said individual.

Cattermole, Mary Elizabeth 100 Galleons

Cresswell, Dirk 100 Galleons

Granger, Hermione 500 Galleons

Thomas, Dean 100 Galleons

Tonks, Ted 100 Galleons

Please have warrants and all applicable documents filed and the information released to the appropriate news media sources as soon as possible.

Sincerely,

Percival I. Weasley

Junior Assistant,

Ministry of Magic

Such a high price on Hermione's head, Percy thought. He hoped that the trio was really watching their backs.

He folded the memo and sent it on its way. Next, he pulled out the Muggle-born listed to be updated. First he updated the missing, posting the rewards being asked. Next he moved on to those that had been sent to Azkaban. The list he would receive the next day would be much longer, he knew.

Kent, Tony

Merris, Jordan

Willoughby, Alana.

When he was done with that, there was one name under the deceased column.

Clearwater, Penelope

As he wrote the dreaded words next to Penny's name, he took in a shaky breath. He could get through this. He just had to clear his mind and concentrate on whatever task is given him that day, and take in as much information about all that surrounded him to help Kingsley as much as possible.

Clearing his mind, he put away the parchment and started on his daily routine. It was going to be a long day.

PWASB-KS-RWHG-OW-MWAW-GW-BWFD-FW-HPGW-OW-RWHG-KS-PWASB

When Kingsley saw that Yaxley had headed off to a meeting, he decided that it would be the proper time to drop in on Arthur. He had saw the question in Arthur's eyes when he turned to look at Percy this morning, even though he didn't ask it.

"Kingsley, what a pleasant surprise. What brings you to my neck of the woods?" Arthur asked.

"Curiosity, really. If I'm butting in, tell me to take a leap, but I saw the way you looked at your son this morning on the lift." Kingsley said taking the seat opposite Arthur.

Kingsley knew that his demeanor made him easily approachable and that people would want to confided in him. It had made his job easier on several occasions. Not that when needed, he couldn't scare the crap out of anyone either.

Luckily for him, Arthur sighed. Kingsley knew that he wanted to talk. Kingsley quickly cast a charm to prevent eaves droppers.

"Molly decided that we should all go to the funeral of the Clearwaters yesterday, so we did, including Bill, Fleur, Fred and George. It was a very nice service, and Oliver Wood spoke some very nice things about Penelope." Arthur began.

Kingsley just nodded for him to continue. Casually listening, not revealing he already knew this.

"Afterwards we made the mistake of trying to give our condolences to Oliver and Percy. And, well, it all just blew up in our faces. Percy is so angry, and I got the impression that he really loved that girl. Molly made the comment that we were sorry we never had the chance to meet her, but Percy blew up and said that we did." Arthur said.

"And you don't remember meeting someone you son loved, that is what is bothering you?" Kingsley asked.

"We racked our brains last night, and it had to have been the year of the basilisk. When the kids got off the train we were just so caught up with Ginny. Then of course Ron and Harry for rescuing her, and Hermione had been petrified by the monster." Arthur said.

"Wasn't Miss Clearwater one of the first students to be petrified?" Kingsley asked.

"Bloody hell, I forgot about that. Please, don't mention it to Molly, she already feels guilty enough that we overlooked someone so obviously important to Percy." Arthur said with a sad sigh. "Bill had always had so many different girlfriends that we probably didn't pay much heed. I should know by now know that they would be different as night and day when it came to dating. Percy would have never introduced her to us unless she was very important to him."

"On the lift?" Kingsley asked.

"I wanted to apologize, but there is already so much anger and hurt feeling between us that I don't know how or if he will accept it. I want my son back so much, but the protective part of me is relieved that he isn't directly involved in this whole mess as the rest of my family is. And now that he has lost someone that he may have loved, I don't think I can get through to him." Arthur said.

"Arthur, I am going to confide something to you that not many others know." Kinglsey said and then took a slow breath before he spoke again, "Until her death, I had been in a committed relationship with Amelia Bones for over twenty years." Arthur looked shocked by that admission. "I was very angry when and how she died. The first few months were very tough. I just kept as busy as I could. I eventually healed with the help of my family. Don't get me wrong, I still miss her everyday, but I am no longer surrounded by grief as I once was."

"My advice, tell Percy in no uncertain terms that you love him and always will, but don't push. Make sure he knows that when he is ready to come home or just talk to you or Molly that he will be welcome anytime. When he is ready to do that, then make sure to protect him from teasing, harasing and what not from his siblings until you are sure he can handle it. Don't let him fool you. When you loose someone you love that much, you remain fragile for a while." Kingsley finished. He was realizing that he was becoming very protect of Percy very fast.

"Thank you, Kingsley. I will talk to Molly and we will head your advise. I will also talk to Percy as soon as I can get him free." Arthur said.

Kingsley nodded and let down the charm. "I better get back to my office before I am missed."

"Thank you." Arthur repeated as Kingsley left his office.

TBC