The Whole Thing, Sorted

Chapter two.

See part one for disclaimers.

Once again, thank you to Dangermouse for the beta and for Rogue, for harassing me to continue this story.

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Percy woke up the next morning feeling a hell of a lot better. Still, he wasn't too eager to start on the report. He sniggered to himself. Who would have thought that Perfect Percy didn't want to start writing reports? Reports were his life, after all, that's all he did the first two years after leaving Hogwarts. Reports on cauldron thickness, quality of newt eyes, the number of twigs per broom -- all very useful, but boring. There, he said it -- boring. He sat up in bed, rubbed the back of his neck and then swung his legs over the side.

He looked down at his dark green pajamas, "Right Percy. Wouldn't do to go downstairs in pajamas." He went to the bathroom, washed up, changed and headed downstairs. His parents were already at the table -- his father was drinking tea and reading the paper. His mother was at the stove, cheerfully flipping pancakes.

"Morning Mum, Father." He sat at the table and helped himself to the stack of pancakes sitting in the middle and reached for the syrup and poured a large amount on his plate.

His father smiled at him from over the Daily Prophet. "Morning, son. How was the meeting?"

Percy smiled, "Excellent. The Swiss Minister of Magic gave a speech about how the European magical communities have to forge stronger ties if they're to keep up with the North America Magical Trade Agreement. You know the one with America, Canada and Mexico?" He could see his parents tuning out already, but at least his dad tried to pay some attention some of the time. Percy didn't mind. It kept them from asking awkward questions about his job. He poured some tea and sipped it before finishing off his pancakes.

A thundering noise rang overhead. Percy rolled his eyes. It was the twins, doing their best impression of stampeding hippogriffs. Unlike some people, the twins didn't believe in doing things quietly, unless it involved pranking.



He ignored the twins when they stumbled downstairs to grab some breakfast. Fred stretched across Percy to grab the syrup jar and poured it over his pancakes, George staring owlishly as the trail of sugar dribbled over his brother's pancakes. Percy bit his lip to stop sniggering. The twins were still half-asleep and practically hypnotized by the syrup.

"Fred! Stop wasting the syrup. There's no need to drown your breakfast." Molly swooped by the table with a frying pan, frowning as she forked over a few strips of bacon onto Fred and George's plates. George shook his head, waking up from his daze and fell upon his breakfast, while Fred yawned and put down the jug. Percy watched his younger brothers inhale their breakfast. The twins weren't the neatest eaters; they ate off each other's plate and tended to talk with full mouths. George looked up at Percy with tired eyes, a piece of bacon in his hand, his mouth full of food.

"'erce, wanna try our new 'weet?" he asked.

"What? Swallow before trying to have a conversation." Percy replied, using his most condescending tone.

George gulped and asked again, a cheerful smile on his freckled face, "Wanna try a sweet?"

Percy rolled his eyes again, you're not even trying, George. I'm not that simple."

"He's not awake yet. Give us time. We'll get you to eat it," said Fred, licking syrup off his fingers. He ducked as Molly aimed a swat at the back of his head.

"Fred, table manners!" She looked over at Percy with a smile. "Do you need anything else, dear?"

Percy shook his head and stood up, "No thanks, mum. I'm good." He aimed the plate towards the sink and smiled as it joined the other dishes in soap. The twins fell back into their stupor, nearly falling into their plates. Sure, there were times he wished he was closer to the twins, but other times, he just wanted to slam their heads together and throw them into the nearby frog pond. He reached for the teapot and poured another cup, wandering over to look out the kitchen window. It was nice outside with a clear sky and dew on the grass. The gnomes weren't up yet. He looked down and drank some tea.

"Percy?"

"Mum?" He looked up from his tea.

"Are you free today?"

"I have to write up a report. Why?"

"I have to go to Diagon Alley and I wouldn't mind some company." Molly snatched the plates from under the now-dozing twins and directed them toward the sink. She stood over her sons with a faint smile on her face. "If they didn't stay up so late inventing, they might actually get a good night's sleep." She sighed and nudged them awake. "Upstairs, boys. Take a cold shower to wake up." She watched them trudge up the staircase. "It's a good thing they're their own bosses. The Ministry would never..." She stopped talking. Percy understood why. She had wanted the twins to go into the Ministry and still felt upset at the thought of it.

Arthur had remained silent throughout the entire breakfast. Percy knew his father tended to stay out of confrontations between his wife and children. Mum was the disciplinarian in the family, while Dad subtly encouraged his brood to do what they wanted, once it was legal and made them happy. Percy didn't want to think of the look on his face when he found out what his middle son

was doing instead of pushing paper.

He watched Arthur fold the paper and drain his cup, sending the dishes spinning to the sink, then stood up. "Well, another day at work. We've got a raid at ten. Keller has been selling enchanted remotes to muggles again. Instead of turning on the television, they open up the fridge and oven. It's very frustrating to the poor creatures." He kissed Molly and smiled at Percy.

Percy nodded at his father just before he left for the Ministry. Turning back to his mother he said, "Mum? About Diagon Alley? I'm not sure I can join you. I have to finish the report."

"Try to relax, dear."

"Yes, Mum."

After breakfast, Percy went back upstairs and sat at his desk. He got his parchment and quill and with a deep breath, began writing his report.

'The intelligence regarding the latest overseas Deatheater meeting proved accurate. They met at the conference...'

An hour later, Percy dropped his quill and stretched, yawning. He didn't want to go to Diagon Alley with his mother. He always felt a bit down after a mission and quite frankly, he wasn't in the mood to mingle with strangers.

He stood up and ambled downstairs to the kitchen. His mother was kissing the twins goodbye just before they apparated to Hogsmeade. She looked up at Percy and smiled understandingly.



"You're not coming with me?"

"No, mum. Not today. I'll make it up to you another time. I'm just not in the mood."

She nodded and walked over to a cupboard to grab her shopping bags. "Okay dear, but try to get some rest. You're still looking pale."

"Mum, I'm always pale. It comes with the hair and freckles."

She chuckled. "Don't smart mouth me, young man. I am still your mother."

"Yes, mum."

She disappeared with a pop, leaving Percy alone in the house. He roamed around aimlessly for a few minutes, then took his father's copy of the paper and walked into the living room. Sprawling comfortably on the old couch, he flipped through the broadsheet.

"CONFERENCE DISRUPTED BY CHAOS"

Percy stopped browsing and read the story.



****

'The International Magical Co-operation Conference was disrupted when an explosion took place near the meeting place. No one was injured, but the visiting delegates were naturally shocked at the incident.

'"There was no warning," said Humphrey Rogers of the Canadian delegation. "One minute we were smiling for the cameras and the next, we were running for cover."

Witnesses have no clear memory of who could have set off the explosion. As of this report, no group has come forward to claim responsibility. Aurors say the WFW (Wizards For Wizards) has denied all knowledge of the action, claiming it wasn't their style.

Rumours that this was a dark activity were promptly quashed by Minister Fudge, who said, "This was a random incident. There is no proof this is tied to dark activity."

Aurors continue their investigation.

****

Percy crushed the paper in anger. No proof? Fudge was an idiot, a blind idiot. Percy got off the couch and paced. In the beginning he too was like Fudge, wanting to deny the return of You-Know-Who, he'd changed his mind after being presented with the bare, stark facts. The Dark Lord was back and He was determined to win this time. Percy sighed in frustration. The Ministry kept ignoring the small fires, hoping they would burn themselves out. What they didn't realize was small fires became bigger ones until there was nothing but a huge, out of control wildfire. He took a deep breath, willing himself to calm down. Getting upset accomplished nothing. Instead, he went back upstairs, newly motivated to finish his report.

He lost track of time, but he smiled as he dropped his quill, the report finished at last. All he had to do was sign it.

"Percy! I'm home!"

He went downstairs to greet his mum, who was burdened down with bags. He grabbed a few, dumped them on the kitchen table and helped his mother unpack the bags and stock the pantry. Thankfully, now that the report was finished, all he had to do was relax for the next couple days.

As soon as he finished that thought, an owl flew in the window and perched next him.

'Shit." He knew he shouldn't have spoken so soon. He took the parchment from the bird, which immediately flew off. Percy risked a quick glance at his mother. She had her back to him and hadn't seen the owl. He unrolled the parchment and read the single sentence.

'Percy, I need to see you immediately.

Brian.'

He swore to himself and muttered a spell which burnt the parchment.

"Mum, I have to leave." He disapparated.

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Percy apparated in the lobby of the Ministry and, with a nod to the gargoyle statue, made his way up to the fifth floor. It would have been easier to just apparate on the fifth floor, but the new security measures meant splinching for those who tried. He looked down at himself and realized he had forgotten his robes and only had on muggle clothing. He shrugged - the letter had said immediately and who was he to ignore it? He smiled at the receptionist who smiled back, then waved him into Brian's office. The spacious office has the usual shelves, chairs, half-dead plant in the corner and a large desk that dominated the room. Percy stood in front of the desk and looked down at the man reading a sheaf of paper.

"Brian? You wanted to see me?"

His boss, a big man of Indian descent, looked up. "Percy. Have a seat." Percy sat down in a very uncomfortable chair. It was a running joke that Brian kept uncomfortable chairs just to see his underlings squirm.

"I didn't bring the report."

"That's fine. Was our intelligence correct?"

"I saw it myself. It explains why there hasn't been any dark activity here for the last few months," said Percy.

Brian sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Right. We'll have to monitor the situation. Fudge isn't going to like this. Man has his head so far up his arse, he could probably see through his nostrils."

Percy started laughing. It was so true. Fudge's denial of the return of Voldemort was taking on legendary proportions. He caught Brian looking at him and raised his eyebrow.

"What?"

"You're definitely not the same man from two years ago, Percy."

"I don't know about that." The flat note told Brian that this wasn't up for discussion.

Brian got the hint and dropped the subject. Instead, he reached for another piece of parchment and silently handed it over to Percy.

Percy reached for the parchment. A new assignment. He skimmed over the words, his mouth dropped open and he stared up at his boss.

"Are you mental?"

"No. It's perfect."

Percy got up and starting pacing the office. "Brian, I'm not sure I can do this!"

"Why not? You know him. We've confirmed his preferences and we know yours..."

"Thanks. That really doesn't help."

"...So it should be simple."

Percy stopped pacing a hole in the floor. He waved the parchment at Brian. "Simple?" he said, voice rising in shock. "You want me to seduce Oliver Wood and bring him in as an undercover agent! What's so simple about that?"



Everyone, thank you very much for the reviews. They're very motivating!

m.