Disclaimer: This story is based on character and situations created and owned by
JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books,
Scholastic Books, and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made
and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

Author's Note: Chapter 1 was bad, but I promise 2 is better. Feedback is loved,
flames are not. I wasn't sure how many O.W.L.s Percy got. I remembered something about 21.
If anyone remembers, please let me know, thank you! ^_^



Percy nervously turned the handle, and walked into the office. His heart was
pounding in his chest, causing his ears to ring. He barely heard Mr. Crouch's command.

"Have a seat Mr. Weasley," Mr. Crouch said. Percy, still feeling queasy, nodded
mutely and sat down. The man known as Mr. Crouch stared at Percy.

He had slowly graying hair that appeared to be brown in his younger days. His
eyes were ice blue, and seemed very cold. Mr. Crouch had no readable emotion on his
face. He stared at Percy, like he was calculating him.

"I thought you might want these," Percy said, fighting the urge to stutter. Percy
knew what he said wasn't in his voice. Instead of Percy's normal low baritone voice, it
rose up an octave.

Percy handed the papers to Mr. Crouch, and their hands briefly touched. This sent
a chill down Percy's spine. It was a new sensation, one Percy has never experienced.
Percy wished to touch his hand again, until he mentally scolded himself for thinking such
thoughts.

"So you graduated last year." It wasn't a question. Percy nodded as Mr. Crouch
read over the papers. Mr. Crouch's eyes lingered on Percy's O.W.L scores.

"21," Mr. Crouch said in his monotone voice. "The best scores in fifty years they
say." The back of his neck, and tops of Percy's ears turned red at Mr. Crouch's
compliments.

"You seem well qualified." Mr. Crouch continued, giving Percy hope. "Tell me,
why should I hire you? Why should I hire someone right out of Hogwarts? Why not hire
an older, more experienced witch or wizard?" Percy stiffened at the last sentence.

"I feel I'm very well qualified," Percy said, finding his normal voice again. "As
you can see, I received a very good education. I was a prefect my 5th and 6th years. I was a
Head Boy in my last year. I feel I have very good leadership skills. I know that I'm very
qualified for the workplace."

After Percy's speech, Mr. Crouch stared at him again. He kept looking in Percy's
eyes, like he was looking for something. Percy became very uncomfortable under this
supervision. Mr. Crouch must have sensed it, as he looked down at a piece of parchment,
turning his eyesight away.

"I shall get to you at a later date," Mr. Crouch said, his eyes not leaving the
parchment. "Ms. Dimitrova will see you out." Percy taking this as a hint to leave, got
up and left the office.

Percy made sure to close the door behind him, not wanting to upset Mr. Crouch.
Percy stared at the office door, hoping to keep that hand touch in him memory forever.
He absentmindedly ran a finger over the hand that Mr. Crouch touched.

"Um, Mr. Weasley?" Ms. Dimitrova spoke, causing Percy to come back to reality.
Percy glanced up at the woman. "You don't have to stick around. You may leave if you
wish." She gave Percy a funny look, but dared not to question.

"Please contact me once Mr. Crouch has made a decision." Was the last thing
Percy said, before leaving.

What he didn't know, was Barty(Mr. Crouch) was watching him. From his office
window, he watched as Percy held out his wand, and disappeared with a soft pop.

Barty's eyes lingered on the spot Percy was standing at. He sighed, as he sat
back down, and began writing a report.