The situation untangled when, one day, Edmund accidentally collided with a short woman wearing a flashy pink suit.
"Watch your steps!" She said, taking offence.
"My apologies, Ma'm. I thought you would have seen me?"
"Seen you? Who do you think you are? Must I remind you what is your place and what is mine? I have been invested by the Dark Lord himself to track down the fugitives Albus Dumbledore and Hermione Granger! You are the one who should make sure you're not on my way!"
"I'm truly sorry, Madam. This is my first day, here."
"And your last, too ! Weasley! Take this young brat's name and make sure he is fired!"
"Yes ma'm!" A ginger young man hurriedly said.
He was standing right behind her. As he looked at him, Edmund concluded this must have been Percy. Ron's brother came closer to him, said in a stiff tone:
"You, follow me. And don't make a fuss."
Edmund decided not to resist and followed him, as the woman walked away like a vexed peacock. Percy took Edmund to a small office, not bigger than a large cupboard.
"I'm listening." he said after he closed the door. "Your name?"
"Albert... Einstein." Edmund improvised with a smirk.
"Albert Einstein." Percy repeated, writing it down on a piece of parchment. "What department do you work with?"
"Security. Desk speciality."
Percy looked up at him, and opened his mouth to say something, but Ed didn't give him time to do so. He tensed his arm, passed his hand behind the young man's head, and smashed it on the desk. Not too hard, but hard enough to break his nose.
"I'll take that, please..." Ed said, grabbing the wizard's wand.
Wand he instantly pointed on its owner's throat.
"Now, follow me. And don't make a fuss."
He took a tissue out of his pocket, and gave it to Percy so he could try to stop the bleeding. He then forced him to get out of his office. He managed to hide the wand, so that, to an external viewer, he was only a young man supporting a bleeding other young man. They passed in front of the janitor, who stopped them.
"His nose is bleeding." Edmund said, pressing the wand slightly harder against Percy's back. "I'm getting him out to get some fresh air."
"All right." the Janitor said. "And Percy, Umbridge wants you to bring her her tea."
"He will. Soon as he stopped bleeding."
And he left the ministry, still pressing the wand against the young man. He then took him to the flat. It was the wife who opened the door.
"Is she here? " Edmund asked point-blank.
"What happened to him?" The woman asked in a worried tone.
"He hit his head." Edmund simply said. "He's gonna need some ice."
"No need." Hermione said, getting out of a bedroom. "I can manage. Take him to the bathroom."
Edmund did as he was told, and took Percy in the small bathroom of the flat, where he sat him on the toilets. He then moved away, but kept the wand pointed on him. Hermione, came in, followed by the woman.
"Let down your wand, Ed." Hermione said. "He won't run away. Percy, this is Amanda. She's a muggle. If you try to move, she'll use her science to take away your magic."
Percy looked shocked, and froze. Edmund let down his wand, while Hermione took out her own wand, and pointed it on the wizard's face.
"Episkey!"
There was a loud crack and the nose stopped bleeding.
"Explain." she ordered, turning to Edmund.
The young king then gave her his full report, which she carefully listened to.
"What do you think?" He asked.
"I think it's tea time. Amanda, could you please bring us three cups?"
The flat owner gladly obeyed.
"Edmund, why don't you go help her?" She said, discretely putting a small vial in his hand.
Understanding she certainly had a plan, the young man sent her a knowing look, and then left. He came back with the three cups, and gave one to each one of them. Percy didn't touch his cup.
"Drink." Hermione ordered. "Pretend that you are well-behaved, Percy."
"He thinks we poisoned his cup." Edmund said.
And he walked to Ron's brother, and exchanged their cups. He smiled. Percy hesitantly drank his.
"Good boy." Hermione finally said. "Now, we have some questions for you."
"I won't answer, Granger. You're a magic thief."
"And how do you steal someone's magic?"
"Well you would know, wouldn't you? You murder him."
"So, by the age of ten, I murdered a pure blood wizard. Honestly can you hear yourself talking?"
"I've always told Ron you and Potter were dangerous."
"Shame on you." Edmund interfered. "With such a behaviour, you shouldn't call yourself a Weasley."
"We're not gonna dwell on the subject." Hermione declared. "Percy won't change his mind. And now, Percy, you're gonna answer our questions. You have no other choice. Edmund put Veraritaserum in your tea."
"I didn't drink from my cup."
Edmund had a small laugh.
"I knew you would do that. That's the thing, let you think you're in control when I'm the one controlling you."
Percy's eyes widened. He was ready.
"Who's the woman you work with?" Edmund started.
"Dolores Umbridge... no! I didn't want to tell you!"
"The serum is already effective." Hermione said. "Don't resist. Is it true she has been invested to track me and Albus Dumbledore down?"
"Yes."
"Are there any limitations to what she can do or ask for?"
"No. she has full power."
"Perfect. Now, tell me. How does she take her tea?"
Percy sighed, sent her a killing look, and answered her. Edmund then took a pair of scissors in a cupboard, and cut a lock of the young man's hair.
"Thank you for your cooperation, Percy." he said coldly. "Now, you're gonna stay here, and meditate about your life choices."
"Give me your suit, Percy." Hermione ordered.
And once again, he obeyed.
"Thank you. For your information, my muggle friend will be staying right behind this door, ready to take away your magic if you even move your pinky toe."
And she turned her back on him, followed by Edmund, and left a traumatized Percy alone in the bathroom, which door they closed behind them.