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Review Responses:
Lilyqueen777 – I'm glad you liked the Snape and Percy interaction, I think if anyone would understand a lot of what Percy's been through it would be Snape. Thanks for the review!
RealityIntrovert – You liked Mandy? I'm pleased you did, she just kind of appeared and I don't really know why but over the last few chapters she's kept popping up. Eyes are important I agree. Hope you found that cookie you were after. Thanks for the review!
Cooldot – finally was the word wasn't it! Sorry for the long wait, again! Slightly better this time though. So pleased you liked the Snape stuff, I agree he's the best one to understand what Percy's been through. I liked the idea of Percy's compulsive need to do his background reading paying off with Bellatrix. Angst is fun and though some of the most powerful endings are not happy ones I love the happy ones! The sequel is finally moving again, (I hope!). Thanks for reviewing!
db – Thanks for reviewing!
alex – here's more, glad you're enjoying this! Thanks for the review!
Queen of Useless Info – Snape should listen to his own advice but I'm hoping one day he'll let go of the past somehow. Thanks for reviewing!
PWeatherby – Thanks for the compliments, I love Percy fics too but there aren't nearly enough out there! Thank you for reviewing!
halfblood princess and Summer – I'm so pleased you think I got the characters right, I find a lot of Percy stories that portray him in a way I just don't like so I try to be careful in my own portrayal of him. Thanks for the complimentary review!
RSegovia – Glad you can suspend your disbelief! LOL! I'm just sorry I kept you waiting for this chapter yet again! Thanks for reviewing!
moonruins – Wow! You're going to make me blush at this rate! Thanks! Percy's one of my favourite characters too! I found your reviews this morning and decided to take your challenge to get this up before the New Year, so everyone can thank you for this chapter finally appearing! Thanks for reviewing Turning Point as well!
Emphasis
What You Left BehindChapter Eleven: Everyone's got an Agenda
"Everyone's got an agenda. Don't stop, keep that chin up, you'll be alright. Can you believe what a year it's been, are you still the same, has your opinion changed?"
The day following Professor Snape's visit the healers decided Percy could go home after a couple more days of observation. "You seem to have bucked your ideas up a bit and now that you're up and about there shouldn't be any more problems. I'll check on you again tomorrow morning and then, providing everything's ok, you can go home," Mandy grinned at him.
Percy returned her smile, "Thank you."
"No problem, it's nice to see you looking so much better. Now you have a visitor from the ministry waiting outside, do you want to see them or shall I tell them you're not up to it?"
Percy grimaced, "I'm up to it."
"That's not the point, you don't have to see them if you don't feel like it," Mandy insisted. "It's the joy of being a hospital patient, you call the shots on who your visitors are and when they get kicked out!"
He forced a smile to reassure her, "It's alright, tell them to come in."
She nodded, "Ok, I'll see you tomorrow morning."
After the young healer had left, a tall man with brown hair and a pleasant smile walked in, without the formality of knocking Percy noted in annoyance. "Mr Weasley, how are you doing?"
"Not too badly, thank you," he responded politely.
"Good, good, glad to hear it and I'm sure the Minister will be too. Allow me to introduce myself, I'm Nigel Winters and I'm the Minister's new Principal Secretary."
Percy nodded formally but did not offer his hand, "Nice to meet you."
"You too, I've heard a lot about you and it was almost all good." The man managed to place the emphasis on the 'almost'. Percy remained silent and he continued. "Well first of all, the inquiry into the man's death has concluded that you were in no way to blame, it was in defence of yourself and your brother. Besides it was only a Death Eater, the world's a better place without them."
Percy maintained his silence.
"Now about the issue of you returning to work. I've been speaking to your healer and they said some rest would benefit you. The Minister has been kind enough to offer you some paid leave, we were thinking that perhaps you could go to some warmer climates, the south of France maybe, in order to ensure you recover completely. We could find someone to take over your work in the meantime."
"I can't afford to go away," Percy pointed out.
"Well that's the beauty of it for you, it would all be taken care of by the minister. He's making you a very generous offer, Weasley."
There was something in the other man's voice though that made Percy doubt how generous this offer really was. Biting his lip he acted on a hunch, "You're not offering me a chance to recuperate, you just want me out of the way. Don't you?"
The man's next words proved his hunch had been right, "Weasley, we're giving you a chance to keep your job."
"Fudge has wanted to get rid of me ever since I went back to live with my family."
The man smiled unpleasantly, "Now, now, Weasley, you know that isn't true. But you do understand we can't have scandal within a mile of the Minister."
"Scandal?" Percy frowned. "I killed a Death Eater who was attacking my brother. The Minister keeps trying to license the use of the unforgivables on the Death Eaters, for goodness sake I think that'll create a bit more scandal than what I did. For that matter I doubt anyone would notice with the scandal that's already hanging around the Minister like a toxic cloud."
"Oh, Weasley, you know how things can be…" Nigel paused as though searching for the right word, "'misconstrued' if the papers get hold of them. You wouldn't want yourself and your family to receive any negative press now would you?"
For a full minute Percy was too shocked to respond, eventually it sank in and he found his voice once more. "You are despicable, you really are."
Nigel smiled smugly, "Well I knew you'd see things our way eventually."
Percy shook his head. "No way."
The other man frowned in confusion, "What?"
"Stuff your paid leave!" Percy kept his voice low but his tone was furious.
"I don't think you quite understand, Weasley…"
"I understand just fine, thank you. You're threatening me, I'm being told to either accept a nice holiday and coming back to find I've been shifted to some godforsaken department in the basement sorting through hundred year old records or the Daily Prophet will have a field day with my 'crazy behaviour' and you'll make bloody sure they drag my family into it as well."
"I see I was wrong, we do understand each other."
"Screw you!" Percy didn't bother keeping his voice down any longer.
"Mr Weasley! I never did understand why cornered rats felt the need to fight, particularly when I am offering you a way out of all this."
"I've got another way out, thanks. I quit."
"What?" the man stopped in surprise.
"I will not let you manipulate me. Not again."
"You're putting to an end a promising ministry career, Weasley."
"I don't care. This 'promising ministry career' keeps coming at too high a price. Now get out before I call for a healer and have them get security to escort you out of here, and how much 'scandal' do you think that could create?"
"You're making a mistake, Weasley."
"Maybe. But hell I've made so many mistakes lately I don't think one more will really make that much difference. Now are you going to leave?"
The man stood and shook his head, "Don't say no one threw you a lifeline."
Percy wisely decided not to respond.
As the door shut behind the man the young redhead sank his head into his hands, "Oh hell!"
The click of the door opening caught his attention and he jerked his head up to see the twins, Ron and Charlie each carrying what looked like a long piece of string.
"Woah! That was so cool!" Ron looked rather impressed.
"What was?" Percy asked in confusion.
"The way you told that guy where to go!"
"How did you…?" Percy frowned and trailed off.
Charlie held up his piece of string, "They're called extendable ears, the twins came up with them."
Fred and George tried to look modest and failed miserably.
Percy laughed, "Well thanks Ron but it was pretty stupid really, I should have done as I was told."
"Yeah right!" Fred snorted, "You gave that guy what he deserved."
"Maybe, but now I'm unemployed and I doubt the Minister will be willing to hand out any stunning references either!"
"You'll be alright!" Charlie sat down on the side of the bed, "And if you get really stuck I could pull some strings and get you a job with the dragons."
Percy paled visibly, "Thanks Charlie, but I don't think it'll come to that."
XXXXXXX
Arthur Weasley was incensed upon hearing Percy's account of the morning's events and was determined to go straight to the minister but his son was adamant he didn't want that.
"Dad, just leave it. It's what he wants, an excuse to have a go at you as well. I can find another job. It's no big deal."
But it was a big deal. Percy had dreamed of working in the ministry since he had been a child and as he went to sleep that night it was all he could think about. It had been his ambition for so long; he had never wanted to do anything else, apart from the brief period at seven when he'd wanted to be taste tester for Honeydukes' new sweets.
He awoke the next morning to find a woman of around forty, but with the energy of a hyperactive toddler from what he knew about her, slumped elegantly in a chair beside his bed helping herself to his grapes. "Oh you're finally awake are you?"
Percy blinked and put on his glasses. He recognised the woman easily as one of the top members of the ministry. Her name was Professor Druscilla Thornfield, though he had no idea what she was a professor of, she was a thorn in Fudge's side and had been for years. Her aim was clearly to help herself to his job and she was exceedingly good at making him look bad, though she did seem to have toned down her campaign of late.
"Proffessor Thornfield?" he struggled to sit up quickly, "How can I help you?"
Percy was amazed she remembered who he was, they had only met a few times and she had always seemed like mere assistants were beneath her notice but he remembered being warned that the woman took in far more than she let on.
"Actually, Weasley I believe the question is how can I help you?"
"I beg your pardon?"
"As you should know I have the responsibility of overseeing the running of several ministry departments including the one you used to work for, the Department for International Magical Cooperation. Now the problem is I can't be everywhere at once and I need people to help me run these departments and I happen to have a job opening in the one in which you have a fair amount of experience. I also happened to hear that you quit your job with Cornelius, congratulations for that by the way, so you need a new position."
Percy tried to wake his brain up, "Are you offering me a job?"
"God you're quick aren't you?! Glad I can surround myself with people who are so on the ball all the time!"
Unsure as to whether her sarcasm was friendly or not, Percy decided to ignore it. "Fudge doesn't want me in the ministry; he won't let you hire me."
"Wrong. Cornelius doesn't want you in his department, now as long as you fall under my jurisdiction he won't care because anything that goes wrong in any of my departments makes his day and even if he does care he can't stop me anyway. I have full control of the hiring and firing of my private staff."
"My family's connections with Dumbledore…"
"Is something I couldn't give a damn about. I'm not working with Dumbledore particularly but I fail to see the wisdom in working against him. Anything you feel the need to do for Dumbledore shouldn't conflict with your job. In fact I'd wager your job should prove an asset to him."
Percy looked up at her in surprise and saw a knowing smile on her face, "You know about the Order don't you?"
"Well when you're planning to be the next minister for magic it's a good idea to check out the competition," she said matter of factly.
"The Order aren't competition."
"I know, that's the only reason I don't care what you do for them. Now listen to me, Weasley. I've thrown my support behind Fudge for the duration of this war in an attempt to keep the ministry together and prevent it losing all credibility. As soon as this war is over though, assuming he and I both survive, the gloves are off. I want to be Minster for magic and God help whoever stands in my way. I wasn't a Slytherin for nothing; I have big ambitions and every intention of seeing them through. But if you're worried you're going to end up working for a power crazed maniac, again, then don't, I want to end this war as soon and as bloodlessly as possible and then I want to become the leader of this Ministry. However, rather than holding a coup de tat, and believe me I could have done that, I want to depose Fudge legally and democratically. At the moment though there are bigger issues. You don't like Fudge, well neither do I but we are both going to have to work with him because this government needs a figurehead and he's it. So what do you say?"
Percy felt overwhelmed with information, "Can I have a few days to think about it?"
"Of course. Take all the time you need, but I do want an answer as soon as you can give me one. These grapes are very good by the way you really should try some. I prefer the purple ones though."
"Well I'll be sure to have them in next time I'm in hospital and not expecting you!"
She chuckled slightly and gave him a smile, "I do like an employee with a sense of humour, they say you do need one to work with me. Owl me as soon as you can with your decision and we'll discuss your contract."
Percy nodded, "I'll let you know. Thank you."
"No problem, Percy, to be honest I'd considered trying to poach you from Fudge before, but I didn't think you'd leave him so when I heard you finally had I came down here straight away. I hope I'll be able to work with you. Have a good day, Mr Weasley, and I hope you get out of here soon."
"Good day, Professor."
Percy watched her leave and tried to order his thoughts, another opportunity to work for the ministry but without having to deal with having Fudge for a boss, it was exactly what he had wanted but he was wary of the woman's offer and determined that this time he was going to talk to his father before he made anymore career decisions.
The healers had said he could be discharged the following morning so Percy requested that his father come and collect him alone. Arthur had not questioned why Percy wanted to see him alone but had simply agreed and so it was that the next morning at half past nine Arthur Weasley walked into Percy's hospital room for the last time. He couldn't hold back a smile of joy and relief at seeing his son standing impatiently by the window, looking the picture of good health.
"Good morning, Percy."
"Good morning, dad," Percy smiled, "It's going to feel so good to get out of here!"
"Well I've spoken to your healers and they said they're ready for you to leave if you are, so shall we get going?"
Percy nodded.
Arthur gave his son a curious look. "I got the impression you wanted to talk to me about something."
"I do, can we go somewhere and talk?"
"Of course we can. How do you feel about getting some breakfast in Diagon Alley?"
"That sounds great."
Over breakfast and copious amounts of tea, Percy poured out the whole story of his meeting with Professor Thornfield to his father. Arthur listened with increasing interest, greatly pleased that Percy seemed so concerned about what he thought of the situation.
"So, do you think I should work for her?" Percy asked him.
Arthur weighed up the idea, "Well, she's a very ambitious woman with her sights set firmly on the top job and I pity Fudge when she decides to get rid of him, but she's a good person. A little obnoxious on occasions and, from what I've heard, not the easiest person to work for but she's good at her job and the only reason she's not in Fudge's job is her inability to keep her mouth shut when she really believes something. Despite her out for herself attitude she's used her power to help several causes that were less than popular, she's worked tirelessly for werewolf rights for example and I know Professor Lupin's very impressed with her. She's offering you a good job and if you want it then yes I'd advise you to take it."
"She seemed to be hinting that she wouldn't mind me helping the Order, in fact that she might even aid me in it."
Arthur raised an eyebrow, "Interesting. She'd certainly be very helpful and the Order's going to have to work with the ministry eventually if we really hope to rid this world of Voldemort."
Percy tried not to flinch in front of his father at the sound of the name but Arthur noticed anyway, "Percy, he's not going to appear simply by someone saying his name."
Percy flushed, "Sorry, Dad, I know it's ridiculous the way people are about his name but it's force of habit now."
"A habit you'll want to break working for Thornfield, she's not known for shying away from saying it and she'll say it even more if she thinks she can get a reaction from you by doing so."
"Sounds like she's going to be great fun to work for."
"She's not that bad, she just can't stand silliness or people getting emotionally involved in things. She's a bit cold I suppose but nothing worse really, she's got a good heart buried underneath it all somewhere. You're going to accept her offer then?"
"I think so, yes. After all, I can't think of anywhere I'd rather work than the ministry."
The sincerity in his son's voice and the clear respect he still held for the institution that had messed him around, broken up his family and all but fired him made Arthur laugh.
"What? You think I'm crazy for still having faith in the ministry!" Percy seemed half amused, half indignant.
"No. I admire your faith and also your ability to see past the current ministry leaders to what the ministry itself stands for. After all, Percy, why do you think I work there?"
"So we're both just hoping to see the ministry be a force for progress and for good within the wizarding world. Does that not just make us both crazy?"
"Percy we're fighting a war against overwhelming odds that we have no prospects of winning because we're too busy bickering with the people who should be our allies to unite against the real enemy and yet we still all think it's going to be ok, I think most of the wizarding world's mad at the moment."
Percy laughed, "Very true." He became more serious suddenly, "But we will be ok, won't we?"
Arthur could see that Percy just wanted to be told it would be alright but he couldn't bring himself to say it, "I don't know Percy," he sighed.
His son placed a hand on his arm and a new determination flashed in his blue eyes, "We will be ok."
Arthur smiled tiredly, looking at the young man in front of him. Remembering the tiny baby he'd held in his arms, the small boy he'd comforted when he'd scraped his knee, the teenager growing steadily more distant but who always had time to help his mother when she needed it. "I'm proud of you, Percy. You do know that don't you?"
Percy grinned, "Well I'm proud of you as well."
Arthur felt relief washing over him as he remembered how close he had come to losing his son twice now. "I have to go to work soon. What are you going to do for the rest of the day?"
"I'm not sure."
"Do you want to meet me for lunch? You could come into the ministry and tell Thornfield you're going to work for her at the same time."
"I'd like that. I'll come to your office at around one, shall I?"
Arthur nodded, "I'll see you then."
XXXXXXX
After his father left, Percy headed back to Grimmauld Place to reassure his mother he was alright before slipping away from his family's fond greetings. He wasn't used to being the centre of attention in such a positive manner and he shied away from it instinctively. Besides, he had someone else he needed to speak to about Thornifield before accepting the job.
"You must have been at school with her, what did you think of her?"
Severus Snape, looking grateful to get away from a pile of Slytherin timetables and prefect rotas, looked up at the young man sat in his office. Percy certainly looked better he noted before answering. "I didn't know her well she was only there for a couple of years after I'd started. For a Slytherin she lacked tact. Had all the subtlety of Gryffindor. Dumbledore liked her though and he tends to be a good judge of character, she certainly wasn't unpleasant but her enthusiasm could get a little trying after a time. Do you intend to accept her offer?"
"Yes, I do. I think it's the right thing to do."
"Well that's all you can do, what you think is right. Was that all you came for?"
"Actually I wanted to thank you for what you said to me the other day. It really helped, feeling like somebody understood that is. Anyway, thank you sir."
"Forget about it, Weasley."
Percy smiled at the potions master's clear unease at being thanked by someone. "Well I should get going, I have to meet my father for lunch. Goodbye, sir."
"Goodbye, Percy."
As Percy gathered some floo powder to leave he wondered if he'd ever understand the other man, coming to the conclusion that understanding Severus Snape might be a scary thing anyway.
XXXXXXX
Again sorry for the wait but at least you got it for the New Year! The chapter titles from a song called, 'I Don't Know You Anymore' by Savage Garden.
Please do review and I shall continue to work on the various fanfics I'm supposed to be writing, I have actually been getting on with things recently so hopefully I can start posting something new soon! The next chapter of this will be the last but there' s a sequel to come which I am hard at work on.
Have a Happy New Year and enjoy 2005! :o)