Disclaimer: See Chapter One

Author's note: Well, I just have to say I'm so so sorry for how long it's taken me to get his up, real life is just kicking me in the teeth right now. I've got three exams, and three lab reports, plus a formal lab worth 40 due. So I'm going a little crazy. Anyway, here is chapter 10, enjoy, and (fingers crossed!) I should have chapter 11 out by next weekend.

Chapter 10

As they days passed, the Weasley family settled, more or less into a routine. Bill had come to stay two days after Percy, and he and Arthur would both leave for work early in the morning, and return home at supper time. Molly spent her day at the many different reconstruction sites, but mainly Hogwarts, getting it safe and warded and clean for the start of the new school year. Charlie, on extended vacation from the Dragon Reserve divided his time between bugging his younger siblings as only an older brother could, helping his mum, and stalking Percy. Ron and Ginny spent most of their time with the friends, taking day trips all over the world, and occasionally stopping by for a brief hello and goodbye and of course, the Weasley Sunday Dinner. The twins had their own business and it was booming, stealing most of their time. Still, it wasn't unusual for the whole family to be together most evenings, to laugh and enjoy each others carefree company.

Well, it was the whole family with the exception of Percy. Percy went to work before both Bill and Arthur, and he never returned before ten o'clock at night. By that time, if any of his family was around, he merely plead exhaustion and fled to his room. And even though Arthur was still angry with him, after the first few nights, he was pretty sure that the exhaustion wasn't entirely an excuse. Percy was looking worse and worse. Dark circles under his eyes, which themselves were often too dull. He was ghastly pale, and hollow cheeked, and Arthur was positive he had lost weight.

This was exactly why that Arthur found himself in Percy's office, outside of the Minister's door. He'd timed his visit perfectly, watching surreptitiously for days, until he could catch the Minister alone. Finally an opportunity had presented itself today. He'd seen Percy in the Magical Law Enforcement office, with Draco Malfoy of all people, talking to Elizabeth Avery, the new MLE head. Kingsley's MLE appointment had been a stroke of genius really. Elizabeth had been a Slytherin at Hogwarts, but also a very vocal supporter of the light side of the war. She had never been a Death Eater, and it was good for the rest of the wizarding world to be reminded that not all Slytherins were Death Eaters, nor were all Death Eaters Slytherin. Besides, all the old pureblood Slytherin families who had not supported He Who Must Not Be Named would feel less like they were the subject of a witch hunt. But Arthur couldn't for the life of him guess why Percy had Draco with him. Oh well, a mystery for another day. Today I have to go browbeat the Minister for Magic into giving my son reasonable hours!

Gathering his mind from his wandering thoughts, Arthur knocked on the door and waited. At the muffled "come in" from the other side, he opened the door and stepped into Kingsley's office.

"Arthur! What brings you here? Take a seat, take a seat, just put those papers on the floor." Kingsley was seated behind a huge desk, covered in paperwork, surrounded by piles of paperwork on the floor, books strewn everywhere. Arthur gingerly removed a stack of paper from a chair, and carefully placed them on the ground.

"Thank you, Minister," He started, but was interrupted immediately.

"Arthur, its Kingsley! I've told you a million times!" Kingsley shook his head, mock sternly, but the corners of his mouth twitched upwards, betraying his mirth. He floated a tea service over and unceremoniously swiped a swath of paper off his desk to make room for it.

"Right, sorry," Arthur grinned at him, "Kingsley . . . I'd like to talk to you about Percy." Arthur noticed that Kingsley looked a little a nervous at that, and that immediately set off a little alarm in the back of his head. Hmmmmmm. Something is definitely going on. "Maybe I'm over stepping my place, but I am his father, and I can't help but be concerned."

"Yes, of course. Could I ask just what it is that's concerning you?" Kingsley voice was calm and curious, but Arthur couldn't shake the feeling it was an act.

"Well . . . . Not to be disrespectful Kingsley, but his hours are ridiculous! He leaves sometimes as early as 4:30 in the morning, never later than 6, and he is never, never home before 10 at night. I've tried talking to him about it, but he says that he has to set an example of dedication, and that the Ministry needs to be rebuilt as soon as possible. But he's the only one I see working like this." Arthur was surprised to see Kingsley look angry for a moment, before he schooled his features into his usual impassive mask.

"Thank you for bringing this to my attention Arthur, I hope you'll trust my word when I say I had no idea he was working himself this hard." Kingsley smiled at him, but his words were obviously a dismissal, albeit a polite one.

"He always was too fond of work." Arthur offered, returning the smile. He rose, and was just to the door, when it opened, revealing a busy and distracted Percy.

"'Lee, I think I've got it all sorted, but I'll need a few signatures before I can get it sent off. And brilliant idea about Draco, by the way, I – Dad?" Percy had walked in with his head down scribbling on one of the pieces of parchment he was carrying. It was only when he nearly ran into Arthur that he realised that there was someone other than "'Lee" in the room. And since when are Kingsley and Percy friendly enough for nicknames? I don't think I've ever heard anyone refer to Kingsley as 'Lee, let alone Percy?!!

"Arthur was just bringing something to my attention. Not to worry." Kingsley nodded at Arthur, giving him a chance to make his escape. Arthur gladly took it.

"Yes, well, I must get back to work. Hopefully we'll see you for supper, Percy?" Arthur dared to ask, before fleeing the office. The door was closed behind him, and he lingered for a minute, but couldn't hear anything. I've done what I can, now it's up to you, Kingsley.