Okay, this chapter will feature one of two major changes I'm making to the Harry potter canon in this story (you know, besides the whole partial gender bent, some pairing changes thing). The second change will show up much later in this story. But this is the other change. I thought this would be an interesting way of going about things.
Interesting note: This is one of two chapters in this story that will not have a gender bent character show up for a majority of it. This is also the first, and possibly only, moment to not be a changed up version of something in the story, though it mentions moment from the book.
Disclaimer: Harry Potter is not mine to own.
It was something that he had never had to deal with before. He had been prefect, Head Boy…He had the top grades of his class and always obeyed the rules. There was also the fact that he had graduated from school the year before. But it didn't matter…
Percy Weasley was being called into Headmaster Dumbledore's office.
Truth be told, Percy was rather glad to be roaming around the halls of Hogwarts again. After all, he had gotten into plenty of undeserved trouble over his former boss, Barty Crouch Sr. How dare the Ministry just assume that he should have been aware of Crouch's odd behavior? Contrary to what the twins loved to say, he didn't spend every minute of the day with the man. Plus, Crouch had been behaving, more or less, normally before his mysterious illness, during which Percy had been unfortunately unable to meet with him.
It had been about two weeks since the end of the Triwizard Tournament, which had resulted in the tragic death of Cedric Diggory. Percy wasn't sure what had caused the death. All he was aware of was that Harri Potter had been with the boy. Perhaps, once he saw what Dumbledore wanted and got back to the Ministry, he would find out the truth from some of his fellow workers…
After a few minutes, Percy arrived at that stone gargoyle that guarded the entrance to the Headmaster's office.
"Oh dear, what was the password?" Percy asked himself, "Oh, that's right. Peppermint Toad."
The entrance was opened and Percy went in. He paused for a moment and turned around.
I thought…he began. No, just my imagination.
He stepped into the office, closing the large door behind him. Percy looked around in awe at the office. It was filled with all sorts of strange silver instruments and gadgets. There was a Pensieve in one end and, on the desk, was a creature Percy instantly recognized as a phoenix.
"My word," he whispered as he stepped closer to the beautiful bird, "To think…An actual phoenix!"
"I'm pleased to see that you like Fawkes, Mr. Weasley."
Percy jumped a bit when Dumbledore appeared, seemingly from nowhere, but quickly relaxed his face. After all, he needed to be calm and composed, as someone who worked for the Ministry should be.
"It's quite a pleasure to see you, Headmaster," Percy greeted formally, extending a hand.
"I'm glad to see you as well, Mr. Weasley," Dumbledore replied, adding in a more grim tone, "Though I wish it were under better circumstances."
Percy nodded as Dumbledore gestured for him to take a seat. He assumed the Headmaster was talking about the tragic end of the tournament.
"I don't mean to be rude but is there a particular reason I'm here, sir?" Percy asked curiously, "I have quite a lot of work waiting for me back at the office."
"Ah yes," Dumbledore answered, "You work for the Ministry…Which is precisely why I have called you here."
"Come again, sir?"
Dumbledore intertwined his wrinkled fingers and leaned forward just a bit.
"Tell me, Mr. Weasley, how much do you know of what occurred in the maze at the end of the tournament?"
"Not much at all," Percy answered, "I was stuck with endless inquiries about Mr. Crouch and how everything concerning his unusual appearance on Hogwarts grounds is my fault. All I know is that a student died…"
"Yes indeed," Dumbledore said, the twinkle in his eyes vanishing, "One Mr. Cedric Diggory…"
The phoenix named Fawkes moved closer to where Dumbledore sat. The Headmaster stroked the bird's feathers gently.
"Since you are unaware of what occurred, I shall tell you," he said, "Cedric Diggory died at the hands of Lord Voldemort."
Percy couldn't stop his jaw from dropping and his heart rate from speeding up at those words. He stared at Dumbledore with an incredulous expression.
"W-w-what?" was all he could say in response.
No, it couldn't be true. There was absolutely no way Voldemort was back. He had been vanquished years ago. Harri Potter had somehow done the deed, despite the fact that she was merely a year old at the time. No, Dumbledore must be mistaken…Or this was some sort of trick. An absolutely despicable trick…
But if that was so…Why was Dumbledore looking at him so seriously?
"It is just as I said, Mr. Weasley," Dumbledore continued, "Although, I suppose it wasn't Voldemort himself who performed the deed. Harri Potter and Cedric Diggory had both grabbed the Cup, which turned out to be a Portkey. This Portkey transported them to a graveyard, where a servant of Voldemort killed Mr. Diggory."
"A-and Harri?" Percy asked slowly, "What about her?"
"Ms. Potter was, most unfortunately, forced to take part in a terrible ritual. A ritual so unspeakably dark that most wizards do not know its name, let alone how to perform it. This ritual brought about the rebirth of Voldemort, to full power."
Percy got up quickly, fixing a hardened gaze at his former Headmaster.
"What a tale," he said coolly, "However, I suggest that you don't go around spreading such a story, sir…One would think you are trying to cause a mass panic over nothing."
Percy marched to the door and turned the knob, only to find that the door was locked. He pulled, pushed and jiggled the knob to no avail. Percy whipped out his wand and tried to cast several spells on the door, none of which worked.
"Let me out," he said in a low voice as he rounded on Dumbledore, "I must be getting back to work, not sitting here and listening to silly nonsense."
"I assure you, Mr. Weasley, you will be quite free to go," Dumbledore said calmly, "But not until we have discussed this."
"Discussed what?" Percy retorted, "Discuss you telling me that some random Death Eater killed Cedric Diggory? That Harri Potter was somehow involved in bringing back You-Know-Who?"
"Not by her own choice," Dumbledore replied, "Now, please, take a seat, Mr. Weasley. I have more to talk to you about. And I would suggest that you put down your wand. One would think that you wanted to attack me."
Percy looked down at his wand arm, surprised to see it raised. He hadn't even been aware that he was pointing his wand at the Headmaster this whole time. Percy looked at Dumbledore warily before slowly putting his wand back. He regained his composure and walked back to his seat, sitting down rather stiffly.
He was just going to hear what Dumbledore had to say. After all, he had told people before that Dumbledore was, while a brilliant wizard, quite mad. But perhaps he had been off after all…Perhaps the man was simply just mad…
"Believe me, Mr. Weasley, I am not quite so mad," Dumbledore said, startling Percy.
"…Are you a Legilimen?" Percy asked curiously, putting a hand to his forehead.
"I like to observe people, Mr. Weasley," Dumbledore replied, skipping around the question.
"Sir, there's no possible way You-Know-Who can be back."
"And why not?"
"Because!" Percy said, thinking for a moment, "Because he was vanquished fourteen years ago!"
"Not quite, Mr. Weasley," Dumbledore said, "He was greatly weakened by his encounter with Ms. Harriet Potter but he was not killed. He was biding his time, waiting for the right opportunity to return and wreak havoc as he did before."
"With all due respect, that sounds impossible, Headmaster," Percy said.
"Almost as impossible as someone, especially an infant, surviving a run-in with the one who killed hundreds, including that infant's parents?"
Percy kept his mouth shut at that.
"I can see why it's hard for you to believe me," Dumbledore stated wearily, "Cornelius Fudge acted in the same way."
"The Minister of Magic?" Percy said disbelievingly, "He was here? You told him this story?"
"Of course I told him. I had to warn Cornelius of what the future holds, though he was not in an accepting mood."
"And rightfully so! What you're saying is ridiculous! You-Know-Who, who disappeared from the public eye fourteen years ago, has been alive this whole time? He's back because of some obscure ritual that took place in a graveyard? That Harri and that Cedric boy were transported there because the Triwizard Cup just happened to be a Portkey?"
Dumbledore looked at Percy's face carefully, something that unnerved Percy a bit.
"You are many things, Mr. Weasley," the old wizard stated, "You work hard, often at the cost of things people your age should enjoy. You get top marks and follow the rules to the letter. You have pride and ambition…But you are no Cornelius Fudge…"
"And what's that supposed to mean?" Percy bristled.
"It means that you have the chance to avoid the suffering Cornelius will encounter if he continues to deny what is occurring."
Things became quite silent between them after that. Percy wondered what Dumbledore was going on about. How could he talk about the Minster of Magic in such a way? Minister Fudge was right to ignore Dumbledore's silly claims…Right…?
"You are the type of man who requires proof, correct?" Dumbledore asked.
"Definitive proof would help," Percy said, though he was certain that there was no way Dumbledore possessed such evidence.
Dumbledore stood up slowly, Percy mimicking his actions. The old wizard made his way over to a large cupboard. He opened it and revealed a large bowl-like container. Percy walked over carefully, his eyes locked on Dumbledore just in case.
"Can you tell me what this is, Mr. Weasley?" Dumbledore asked, treating this as though it were a lesson.
"…A Pensieve," Percy replied as he glanced at the container and swirling silver substance, memories, inside.
"You see, I have quite a lot of memories swimming inside my head. Far too many for me to keep track of and too many for me to sort through and recall the ones I want…And so I put them in this container-"
"So that you can review those memories at a later date," Percy interrupted, "Yes, I am quite aware of what a Pensieve does, sir."
"You always were a smart one, Mr. Weasley," Dumbledore praised.
Though Percy still didn't believe Dumbledore's balderdash story, he did straighten at the praise. After all, the man was still a great wizard…One who had just complimented him.
"Unknown to most," Dumbledore explained, "There were a few key events that occurred after Ms. Potter appeared in the field with Mr. Diggory's body. Rather important events, memories of which I put into this Pensieve. I believe those memories will provide proper proof to what I say…"
Percy looked back and forth between the Pensieve and Dumbledore, a suspicious look on his face.
"Would you be willing to do such a simple task, Mr. Weasley?" Dumbledore asked.
"…Very well…"
And so, Dumbledore showed him those memories.
Percy shook as he sat in the chair. His eyes were wide as he stared at the ground, his mouth open in terror over what he had seen.
It was impossible to mess with memories in a Pensieve. That was fact. Meaning that all he had seen in there was true…
The man who had been teaching his younger brothers and sisters Defense Against the Dark Arts, the man whom he had believed to be the famed ex-Auror Alastor Moody, was an imposter…Not just any imposter, but Barty Crouch Jr.
The same Barty Crouch Jr., the son of his boss, who was tried for being a Death Eater and sent to Azkaban, where he had died…But apparently not. Percy had seen that he was questioned under Veritaserum, meaning all he said was true.
Acting under Voldemort's orders…Impersonating Moody…Putting Harri's name in the Goblet of Fire to get her in the tournament. Percy had been horrified at that and by how Crouch Jr. escaped Azkaban and the stuff he and his father did. He had nearly thrown up upon hearing what happened to Bertha Jorkins and about his boss' fate…
Then, Percy had been shown the memory of Harri recounting what happened in the graveyard. He had been greatly shocked to see the escaped murderer Sirius Black there but neither Dumbledore nor Harri looked bothered.
And then Harri explained the story. She explained the ritual. She mentioned Peter Pettigrew, who Percy thought was dead, and how he had killed Cedric Diggory with a Killing Curse. She explained Voldemort's rebirth. Listed those Death Eaters and the speech Voldemort had given. The resulting battle and the Priori Incantatem effect…
It was just Harri telling a story. Percy could have easily stated that it was some incredibly elaborate lie the girl thought up…He could've…If it wasn't for that sorrow in her eyes. Percy knew that one could not fake that level of pain, the same look that his mother had on her face each year on the anniversary of her brothers' deaths…
And then, he had witnessed Fudge confronting Harri and Dumbledore in the hospital wing. Percy's jaw dropped at the exchange. He had allowed a Dementor to give Crouch Jr. the Kiss without hearing what he had to say. He was acting so inept that it appalled Percy. Fudge was not even willing to consider the idea!
Meaning…Meaning that what Dumbledore was saying…It was true, wasn't it?
"Do you believe me now?" Dumbledore asked solemnly.
"…I can't exactly dispute it, can I?" Percy responded, "…Why was Sirius Black there?"
Dumbledore then explained what happened the year before. He talked about the Potters switching Secret keepers and how Peter Pettigrew faked his death and left Sirius Black to be blamed.
"But Black should have said so at his trial then!" Percy argued.
"He would have if he received one, Mr. Weasley," Dumbledore said.
"And what did you assign my parents to do?" Percy asked.
"I can't tell you their jobs yet. But they are part of a group called the Order of the Phoenix, a group which has opposed Voldemort since the First Wizarding War."
Percy shook his head slowly before putting it in his hands. He couldn't take all of this…How could he handle the fact that Voldemort had returned and that the Minister of Magic didn't want to believe it? That Fudge believed Harri was lying about all this?
As Percy finally lifted his head, he asked the one question that was on his mind since Dumbledore told him about Voldemort.
"Why are you telling me this?" he asked.
Dumbledore leaned back in his chair and looked much older than Percy had expected.
"I understand the kind of man Cornelius is, Mr. Weasley," he started, "He has shown that he won't listen to reason. And he will do whatever it takes to make everyone believe that the world we live in is safe and secure and will remain so. Even if it means slandering those who see the truth."
"Cornelius will try to spy on Harri and me to see what we are up to," Dumbledore went on, "I have a feeling you will be receiving a promotion very soon, Mr. Weasley. One that put you in direct correspondence with the Minister."
"And how do you know I didn't earn this position I may or may not receive?" Percy asked.
"My dear boy, I'm quite certain you can earn such a role. But won't it be unusual for someone who is currently being questioned over his boss' odd behavior to suddenly be given such an incredible promotion after what you just saw?"
Percy let out a sigh. It was true…
"What does this have to do with me?" he asked tiredly.
He had a hunch but he wanted to hear it from Dumbledore's mouth.
"I need to be able to keep track of what the Ministry's up to," Dumbledore explained, "I need to know what Cornelius has in mind and what he will do to try and undermine me."
Percy's eyes widened at his words. So, it was as he thought.
"…You want me to spy on the Ministry…"
"That is correct."
Percy stood up and paced the room, running a hand through his red hair anxiously.
"Do you know what that means?" he asked in a panicked voice, "I have to be able to collect information and get it to you without garnering anyone's attention…If I get caught my family will be in trouble! I'll get sent to Azkaban for treason!"
"There are many consequences for your actions," Dumbledore stated, "But think about it, Mr. Weasley. You will be aiding us and helping to keep the wizarding world, including all of your loved ones, safe."
"Speaking of," Percy retorted, "You do realize my mother will be down your throat over this."
An expression of pain appeared on Dumbledore's face.
"…Not if she doesn't know…"
"What are you talking a-?" Percy cut himself off and looked at Dumbledore with horror.
"I…" he said slowly, "I can't tell my family?"
"When one is spying, it is good to keep the number of people who are aware of your loyalties down to as few as one or two others," Dumbledore replied.
"But there's no way my parents will be happy if I take a high position in the Ministry!" Percy said angrily, "They'll try to convince me not to…What, do you want me to estrange myself from them?"
Silence…
"…Oh God…"
"It will make it seem more believable that you are loyal to the Ministry. After all, they would never expect any member of the Weasley family to go against me…Not without cutting himself off from his own family in the process…"
Percy sat down, so much pain coursing through him from the realization of what he would have to do.
"Isn't there anyone else?" he asked pleadingly, "Don't you have friends in the Ministry?"
"Cornelius is well aware of who my friends are, Mr. Weasley," Dumbledore said, "He'll be watching them carefully and none of them are close to the Minister."
Percy felt like he wanted to start crying right there. He often locked himself away at home to work or study. He hadn't spent much time with his family since before school. He was always so serious and focused on his work. He knew his brothers and sisters probably didn't like him for that. But he did it because he wanted to be able to provide well for his family and any future members who may come along…
But this…Asking him to purposely break away from his family and relay information to Dumbledore without catching anyone's attention…How could he do this?
"I know it is a lot to ask of you, Mr. Weasley," Dumbledore said, sadness in his tone, "But it is necessary. We are on the brink of another war. And this one just may outdo the first war…Any information you get could mean the difference between life and death…"
Percy had a blank look on his face as he stared into Dumbledore's eyes.
"Can I have time to think about this?" he asked.
"I'm afraid I will need a firm answer as to where your loyalties lie," Dumbledore answered, "Otherwise I will have to erase your memories of this meeting."
Percy was silent for several minutes afterwards. He was glad Dumbledore didn't try to break the silence because he felt that he might change his mind…After what seemed like forever, Percy finally spoke.
"…Alright…I'll do it…"
"Can I trust you not to betray me or your family?" Dumbledore asked.
"I would never…" Percy replied instantly.
But then he wondered…What if something went wrong? What if he was found out and forced into telling the truth? What if they used Veritaserum or…or the Imperious Curse?
"Your thoughts are running along the same lines as mine," Dumbledore said.
"Sir…" Percy said softly, surprised that he was about to say this, "…Place me under an Unbreakable Vow…"
"Are you sure?"
"Sure? I'm not sure of anything except that I don't want to put anyone in danger just because I can't spy well enough."
"Very well, Mr. Weasley," Dumbledore said as he and Percy stood up.
Percy extended his hand and clasped Dumbledore's.
"Sir, can this work with just two of us?" he asked, nervous.
"It can indeed," Dumbledore responded solemnly as the process began.
"Will you, Percy Weasley, swear to do your utmost to spy on the Ministry and relay important information to the Order of the Phoenix until Voldemort's demise?" Dumbledore asked.
"…I w-w-will," Percy stuttered, flinching a bit when a tongue of flame wound around their hands and a strange feeling pulsed through him.
"Will you swear to not surrender said information to enemies of the Order, especially those in the Ministry and those who believe in Voldemort's ways?"
"I will," Percy said, his voice a little stronger as the second tongue of fire wound around the hands.
"And will you swear to never reveal who you are spying for to anyone outside the Order of the Phoenix until this war is over?"
"I will," Percy replied firmly as the third tongue of fire came out.
The spell was complete. Percy looked at his hand…
"You truly do belong in Gryffindor House, Mr. Weasley," Dumbledore said, his voice full of weariness and, to Percy's confusion, a feeling that suggested he had done something like this before, "And now, please sit down as I have much more to discuss with you."
Percy did sit down, though his eyes remained locked on his hand…
Percy made his way down the stairs, out of the Headmaster's office. The information that Dumbledore had told him concerning the Order of the Phoenix was swimming around in his head…He barely noticed where he was going as the gargoyle went back to its place when he entered the corridor.
"Hey, Perce!"
Percy turned his head and saw one of the twins making his way over to him.
"Hello, George," he said, working to make sure his voice didn't crack.
"Now how do you know I'm George? I could be Fred."
"You think I can't recognize my own brother?"
"No, I expect it," George said with a smirk, "Fred and I worked hard to make sure of that. Man, first Harri, now you…We really need to work on it."
Percy hid a smile over what George said…Very soon he won't be able to have the luxury of his brother talking so casually with him if all went according to plan.
"So, why was Perfect Percy sent to the Headmaster's office?" George asked in a teasing tone.
"If you must know, the Minister requested that I ask Dumbledore something important," Percy replied, "It is odd to see you here without Fred."
"Freddie spotted Angelina Johnson and I didn't want to stick around for the snog fest. Anyways, I can't believe you're listening to that git!"
"You should refer to him with more respect, George."
George rolled his eyes. Percy felt a prickling in his eyes…He had to leave right now…
"Well, I must be off," Percy said in his usual tone, "I have a lot of work to catch up on and my in-tray must look like a nightmare right about now."
"Oh, I feel so sorry for your in-tray," George said sarcastically as Percy walked off, "So long, Weatherby!"
Percy paused and looked back and George, who was giving him that mischievous smile.
"…Goodbye, George."
Because it was goodbye…At least, for the time being…
Yeah, this is quite a change from canon, huh? I wanted to go along this route because I read a couple of really good fanfics that use this idea and I found a lot of merit in it. Plus, I always wondered why Dumbledore never put a spy in the Ministry…
For the record, I was highly disappointed in Percy's actions. I mean, breaking away from the family that loves you? However, I can understand a bit of where he's coming from. He's always worked hard and dealt with endless teasing from his siblings because of it. He probably felt left out a number of times. Then, he's given this promotion from the Ministry. He expects everyone to be proud of him. But what's their first reaction. To tell him he got that promotion because Fudge wants to spy on the family…
For someone who was out of the loop concerning the events at the end of the fourth book, that would seem like quite a punch to the gut, huh? However, that does not excuse his actions. For my story, I wanted the estrangement to happen but I wanted to go along a different route.
Also, Dumbledore is not supposed to come across as a jerk. I wanted to show that he is someone who knows this has to be done for the sake of the war but finds no pleasure in doing it whatsoever.
I hoped you liked it and please leave a review for me!