Chapter Three

Yawning, Percy walked on into his small, darkened office. Ernie Macmillan was the new Minister of Magic, and Percy had just managed to hold onto his job as his assistant. The problem with that was that Ernie didn't trust him, and Percy was left with paperwork, and going through letters, but gradually, he was getting more of a chance to prove himself.

"Message for Percival Weasley," came a voice, echoing through the room as Percy sat down at his desk.

"Yes Jane?" Percy asked the receptionist, not turning around to view her head sticking out of the fireplace behind him.

"The Minister wishes to talk to you at three this afternoon. Are you able to make that time?" Percy turned to look at the woman, her messy dark brown hair flowing around her shoulders.

"Yes, I can make that," Percy informed her. She smiled.

"Thank you Mr. Weasley. And a woman was asking after you, about half an hour before you arrived. She didn't leave a message, just said that you would know who she was." Percy nodded. "Good day." And with a pop, Jane's head disappeared from the fireplace.

Percy turned back to his desk, and started rifling through the papers in front of him. He soon found himself loosing concentration, and he unwillingly stopped working for a few minutes. In those few minutes, he allowed himself to stand up and look out of the small window in his door.

He could see a woman with blue hair franticly searching for something in a mass of papers, her coffee almost falling off the table. She had worked for the order, Percy knew. Next to her, an elderly man sat talking to Remus Lupin, who appeared to be paying very little attention to him, as he attempted to help Tonks search through the papers.

And then he entered. Arthur Weasley, smiling at them happily. Percy watched as his father sat down at his new desk. He had just received a promotion. He would be getting an office of his own soon, but it wasn't ready for him yet, and all he had was a new desk.

Already was a framed picture of the family in Egypt resting on the table. Percy couldn't stop staring at it. His family. His parents, his brothers, his sister, even the stupid rat all looking so happy... so amazed by the sights that they were seeing... and then the paper work travelled back to his mind. Sighing, Percy sat down and got back to work.

- -

It was a long day. Percy was curious as to why Ernie wanted to see him, and part of him wanted to listen to Pansy, walk over to his father and apologise, free himself from his own thoughts. But he never did. He never even moved his foot to leave the office, until three.

Ernie and a few other people were already seated around the table when Percy arrived. Ernie smiled coolly at him. "Please take a seat Percy," he told him. Percy nodded, and sat down at the opposite end of the table. "We'll just wait for 'Dora, Remus and Arthur to arrive, and then we shall begin."

Three minutes later, and Nymphadora Tonks, the woman with the blue hair walked in, closely followed by Remus Lupin and Percy's father. They sat down. "I would like to discuss an official pardon for Sirius Black," Ernie began, looking through his notes. "We already had an unofficial one of course... but I think it is about time the rest of the Wizarding World learnt the truth."

"I agree sir," Remus began. "I believe a public memorial service, or an article in the Daily Prophet would be sufficient." Percy looked up for the first time since Arthur had walked in. He turned and looked at his father cautiously.

"Indeed Remus. Arthur?" Arthur looked up, startled by Ernie speaking his name.

"I agree with Remus. Sirius Black was a fine, fine man. A pardon, I'm afraid, is not enough to bring him back, but it at least puts his friends in a good position. I think it would be some relief to Harry as well."

"How is Harry?" Percy asked suddenly. Arthur stared at his son in amazement, but he showed no look of pride, or love.

"He's dealing. Under the circumstances, he's dealing rather well." Noticing a tension in the room, Tonks coughed nervously.

"Is that all you wanted Mr. Minister?" she asked curiously. He nodded.

"Yes... that is all." Percy stood up and walked to the door, standing side by side with his father. Percy moved to allow his father to walk through first. Arthur barely looked at him.

"Well at least I tried..." Percy mumbled.

- -

"What do you think of the green?" Pansy asked, twirling in her new green robes. Percy looked up from his drink.

"Very Slytherin."

"Do they suit me?" she asked, fishing for compliments.

"I'm sure you look fine." She sighed, and placed her hands on her hips and she sat down on the chair opposite him.

"You've barely noticed." He continued staring at his Fire Whiskey. She slapped his arm.

"Ow! What was that for?"

"Ignoring me." He sighed.

"I ignore you all the time Pansy, it makes no difference." She pouted.

"Not in the same way." He looked up at her hurt expression.

"Look I'm sorry. I saw my father today all right? And... going back home is looking even more unlikely."

"I'm sorry," she mumbled. He shook his head. "How did it go?"

"I'm here with you aren't I?" She started at him open mouthed.

"If you don't want to talk to me then just go!" she told him angrily. "I didn't ask you to come.

"Well maybe I don't want to go," he said.

"Look, if you would just stop asking like some pompous..." He grabbed her hand. "What? Now what are you going to do?" she questioned. "Threaten me? I'm used to men doing that. Or are you going to hit me? Tell me to shut up?" He stared at her and let go of her hand.

"No Pansy. I wouldn't do that to you..."

"Really now? You're proving that well."

"I apologise." She raised her eyebrows. "I mean it... I didn't mean to do that I certainly don't mean to sound pompous, though I suppose I do that without effort."

"Sometimes, however, it could be called a good thing..." He looked at her curiously. "Sorry. Carried away in a moment."

"There was a moment?" he questioned. She smiled.

"Something's really do escape your notice don't they?" she placed some money onto the table and left the restaurant.

AN: I wanted kissage... I really did. Sadly... I didn't want it to go that fast.