November 1997
Kingsley Shacklebolt winked at Percy as he left the Minister's office and passed by the younger man's desk on the way out the door. Percy pretended not to notice. He had come to the realisation that the six requests by the Head of the DMLE to see the Minister this week were part of a ploy. It was Wednesday, nobody needed six meetings with the Minister in three days.
The Minister was, Percy knew, getting more and more annoyed about the constant disruptions and meeting requests, never mind the meetings themselves. He hadn't been able to turn Kingsley down, they had been to discuss the budget for the DMLE in light of the wave of attacks that had taken place, Percy's brother amongst them.
Auror Shacklebolt was pushing for paid overtime, better equipment, and more training. In short everything the Head of the DMLE would push for in such a case, but rather than being polite about it, Auror Shacklebolt was getting up the Minister's nose. When the Minister had been unable to have the actual meeting due to his schedule, he'd come back from his lunch breaks muttering imprecations. Percy got the impression that Auror Shacklebolt had somehow managed to find the Minister at lunch, and turn the hour-long leisurely meal the Minister liked to enjoy, into a half-hour meeting about budgeting.
"Weasley!" The demand came from inside the Minister's office, through the open door. Percy picked up his parchment and quill and walked through the door to stand in front of the Minister's desk.
"Yes, Minister?"
"Weasley, it cannot be borne."
"Minister?" Percy asked deferentially.
"Six meetings Weasley! Even when I say no he's finding me in the corridors and at lunch! You are to block all further requests from the Auror Department!"
"I'm sorry Minister, but Auror Shacklebolt has the right to speak to you directly," Percy said. "To block his requests would be acting against the legislation of the Minister for Magic's office and could lead to a formal complaint." The Minister's face turned an interesting shade of pink on hearing the news.
"Minister," a cold voice drawled, heavy sarcasm on the title. "What is the good of having staff if you don't use them? Have Weasley here meet with Shacklebolt. If that doesn't impinge on legislation?" Lucius Malfoy was sat in the corner of the office, his sneer firmly in place, a lazy hand resting on the head of his cane.
The Minister looked at Lucius before turning to Percy. "Well?" he snapped at Percy. "Would that work?"
Percy paused framing his response. As he did a Ministerial memo folded into an aeroplane flew into the room and stopped, hovering in front of Percy. Percy plucked it out of the air and unfolded it, he glanced over it quickly. "Auror Shacklebolt requests a meeting at your convenience to further discuss implementing the new proposals you have discussed."
"That's it!" The Minister shouted, banging a fist down on the desk for emphasis. "I will not see that man anymore. Weasley, deal with it."
Percy opened his mouth to object.
"I don't want to hear it. Meet with him, take notes, write a report. I don't care! I will not have this office continuously interrupted by that man again. Just where does he expect me to find the budget?! Well? Why are you stood there? Get out!"
Percy nodded to the Minster and turned to leave, nodding to Lucius Malfoy, as little as he could without being rude. Lucius smiled a condescending smile and nodded more deeply in reply. "Good day, Mr Weasley."
Percy left the room and closed the door firmly behind him. He went to his desk and jotted a reply onto the memo, setting up a meeting for that afternoon. He sent the plane whizzing from the room, Fred and George had come through. They'd found him a contact and their soon to be meetings the idea of the Minister himself, helped along by no other than Lucius Malfoy.
Percy swallowed, pulling a report towards himself, he stared at it determinedly, forcing his thoughts to clear and focus on his work. He'd made his choices, now he would honour them.
An hour of diligent work later, Percy tossed a quick spell at his door and another at the Minister's before he cleared his desk. Yes, he would have to speak to Shacklebolt about his budget, but that was not the point of the meeting after all. The meeting was all about what Percy could supply and how much that might help. Percy pulled the Minister's briefing reports towards him. A quick scan provided no more information that Percy already had.
The Head of the DMLE would have his own battles, budgets and funding the least of them if things continued. Perhaps if Percy could offer a way to ensure that Shacklebolt could trust the Department he headed up unequivocally, that might at least give Shacklebolt more latitude. Decided that that would be enough to bring to the meeting in the first instance, Percy flicked his wand at one of his magically expanded filing cabinets.
The filing cabinets were stuffed full of files from every Minister for Magic that had sat in the office. After a hundred years passed the originals were sent down to the Archives, but copies were kept in the Minister's aides office. It would not do for a Minister for Magic to have to send a request down to the Archives to retrieve a file. Much better for the Minister's aide to produce the relevant file with a simple spell taught to each aide that sat at Percy's desk.
Percy had had to take an oath of allegiance to the Ministry of Magic upon becoming the Minister's aide. After making that oath, he had to swear a number of other vows, one of which was that the spells to operate the filing cabinets would never be divulged to anyone but his replacement. Peculiarly confidentiality of what went on in the Minister's office was not covered by any of the oaths or vows required. Percy presumed that it had been included initially, but persons throughout history who had planned a takeover would have needed an inside man, and the Minster's aide was as inside as it got.
The filing cabinet drawer slid open, and a file flew up and landed on Percy's desk. The draw slid closed again sealing with a solid sounding thunk. Percy glanced down at the folder, an eyebrow raised at the dossier's title but never the less he pulled parchment and inked quill towards him and started to read.
Percy knocked lightly on the Minister's door. On receiving the permission to enter Percy opened the door and moved into the office. Malfoy was no longer lounging in the corner, so he must have left when Percy had been away from his desk or via the Minister's floo.
"What is it, Weasley?" Scrimgeour asked.
"I am about to leave for my meeting with Auror Shacklebolt. I expect to be away from my desk for half an hour or an hour perhaps. Shall I leave the door open?"
"No close it. An hour of uninterrupted peace sounds just the thing."
"Very well Minister," Percy said before turning and leaving.
In the corridor outside the entrance to his office, Percy cast another spell. When someone came by the door would display a message that the Minister for Magic was unavailable and to come back later. The spell would allow department messages through to await Percy's return, but everyone else would find no way of getting through the door.
Percy walked through the Ministry on his way to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. He exchanged greeting and polite nods with those he passed. Upon entering the department, he made his way towards Shacklebolt's office and knocked on the door. Shacklebolt bade him enter, and Percy did, trying to look as unruffled as he wished he felt. He felt as if the eyes of every Auror in the department were boring a collective hole through his back and he was determined that they wouldn't see him squirm.
"Ah, Mr Weasley, I expected the Minister, is he running late?"
Percy stepped over the threshold feeling immeasurably better when the door closed behind him cutting off the stares. "I am here in the Minister's stead Auror Shacklebolt."
"I see. Well down to business then. Take a seat. Would you like a cup of tea?"
"No thank you," Percy replied as he took the seat offered.
"I should tell you that you are free to speak freely here," Shacklebolt said seriously, retaking his seat.
Percy nodded then said bluntly. "What do you need to know?"
"Everything."
"That seems a little unachievable. Do you really want to know that the Minister has a preference for coffee over tea though he always drinks tea in public because he thinks it makes him look more 'British'?"
"He does?"
Percy nodded.
"Well no, not that. But who is he meeting with, talking to? What is being done? Actually done, rather than the sound bites."
"You would know as much as I, after all the Aurors must know the law to uphold it."
"Pre-warned is pre-armed, and you know how these things go. Just because it's the law doesn't mean that it is inflexible. Whatever you can get, what departments are lost, what legislation is coming, that sort of thing. Who is still with us, those that we can rely on and trust. They might be able to come together and fight back."
"Or become targets themselves."
"Everyone is a target. I don't need to know your reasons Mr Weasley, but you aren't in any danger, are you?"
"I believe Auror Shacklebolt that as you have just said, everyone is a target. I perhaps don't share the ideology that my family does, but it does not mean I lost my morals along the way."
"No, I didn't mean to imply you did, only that if you found a situation which became untenable you…"
"Thankfully no such ill fortune has befallen me. I thank you for the offer, but currently, it is entirely unnecessary."
"Good. That is good."
"The Aurory Department no longer take the sworn oaths, do they?"
"No," Shacklebolt replied. "Why do you mention it?"
"You are looking for ways in which to boost the Aurory are you not. Training, equipment, and so on, as I am sure the Minister has told you, is expensive. The vows of office that the Aurory used to swear, unite the department do they not? Inspiring a bond between Aurors. Offering the assurance and confidence that each fellow Auror is in a position to support and protect their brothers and sisters in service. These oaths do not require any additional budget yet have a proven boost to the performance of the units. You might find, Auror Shacklebolt, that while the Ministry budgets cannot be stretched to offer a tenth of what your latest requisition has asked for, no one would think it strange that the Aurory Department renewed their oaths. Indeed, an Aurory that was operating under such vows might find public relations much more comfortable. The public, I am sure would be reassured that their Aurory was working under an oath of fairness and non-discrimination. Don't you?"
Kingsley looked at Percy puzzled. "The oaths of office as a tool? I do not think that they have been in use for quite some time. There might be some resistance to enforcing them once more. Where did you hear about them?"
"The Minister's office is privy to the minutiae of how each Department of the Ministry is run, Auror Shacklebolt, even if some of those methods are no longer in use."
"Perhaps they might be worth looking into. I can see that they might be able to offer advantages that we do not currently have."
"Quite," Percy replied. "As it stands, the Ministerial budget cannot offer any additional funds. Perhaps in the next quarter review, it could be readdressed, but for now, Auror Shacklebolt if you will excuse the Muggle expression. I suggest that you work outside the box. By motivating your staff and improving their performance, you may find that the Review Committee looks more favourably upon your request. No one likes to think that tax payer's money is being thrown down a black hole. Prove your department has what it takes to step up to the challenges they face with no budget. Prove a measurable improvement. Chart what more funding is expected to do and then the Review Committee will find refusing your request that much more difficult. If you discover that you are struggling to pull the relevant information together, I may be able to offer my services. It behoves me to ensure that you are not wasting the Minister's time after all. He finds that much of his days are taken up with meetings with Mr Malfoy."
"Mr Malfoy?"
"Oh yes, Mr Malfoy has been generous enough to aid the Minister by offering him advice regarding juggling the demands of the office."
"I see. Is the Minister in need of such advice?"
"The Minister for Magic is a position of power and responsibility. Opinions and advice can only be welcome, do you not think? I am sure that Minister analyses a great deal of information before making his opinion known. Mr Malfoy suggested that I could attend these meeting in the Minster's stead. I, myself, informed the Minister that this would not break protocol and would fulfil the obligation of the Minister for Magic's office towards the department heads if the Minister was unable to attend in person."
"I see," Kingsley replied again, a thoughtful look on his face as he scribbled something on a scrap of paper.
"I am sure that you do Auror Shacklebolt. Now I believe that concludes our meeting for the present. I can pull together some information for you this afternoon and have it on your desk first thing in the morning. You are familiar with the 'brevis notitia ex fama', perhaps?"
"I do not believe so," Shacklebolt replied politely.
"Very well." Percy pulled a report from Shacklebolt's in-tray towards him. "Observe." He took his wand and with a full circle and a flick he recited the incantation. The front page of the report shimmered and coalesced into succinct bullet points. Percy looked expectantly at Shacklebolt who glanced at the report then Percy and nodded.
"Some of the reports can be lengthy, and it can help draw out pertinent information," Percy said blandly. He stood from the desk, smoothing his robes. "My report shall be on your desk first thing in the morning Auror Shacklebolt. If the Minister for Magic's office can be of any more help, do let me know I have been tasked with dealing with your requests personally."
"I believe that I may call upon you further then Mr Weasley if your report pans out. I shall certainly call upon your services regarding information for the Review Committee. I am committed to ensuring that the Aurory offers the best service it can," Kingsley replied.
"I shall ensure I clear a spot in my diary for you then," Percy replied. "If you have a preference then do let me know. I shall inform the Minister that you are willing to work with me in his stead."
"That would be satisfactory," Kingsley said standing to offer his hand to Percy. Percy accepted the handshake which was brief and firm on both sides, then the younger wizard left the office. Kingsley sat at his desk wondering why after so long in this job it surprised him that people could still surprise him.
December 1997
"PERCY!"
The shout brought him to a halt. A glance around showed that other than the two of them, the corridors were yet empty, and no one would discover them.
Huffing and wheezing Mills caught up to him. "Weasley. Merlin, I'm out of shape. I've been chasing you through this accursed place for ten minutes."
"My apologies," Percy replied waiting while Mills caught his breath. "Something troubling you?"
"Yes! Yes, of course, anyone with half a brain is troubled and you Weasley, you are not missing half a brain."
"You flatter me."
"I don't. I need info, Weasley. I need it, and I'm about willing to pull in every marker I've got to get it. I'll owe a few if that's what it takes."
Percy frowned sending another glance up and down the corridor. "How is your day looking?"
"Fucking awful."
Percy rolled his eyes. "After work tonight, the Witch and Wand. You can lament your appalling love life to me, and I will listen with the patience of a saint. I will not, however, pass information to you about a witch who has made her intentions clear."
Mills looked at Percy with a frown. Percy continued. "That's my offer, take it or leave it. You know White won't stand your complaining anymore."
The sound of a scuffed footstep came from further down the corridor out of sight of the two men. Mills looked at Percy in silent question. Percy twitched a hand in acknowledgement.
"Tonight, the Witch and Wand and you can tell me your troubles," Percy said encouragingly.
Mills nodded. "Thanks, Percy, it's just, she won't even speak to me."
They met outside the pub and Percy paused on entering. "Perhaps we could go somewhere else? It looks a little busy, you wouldn't want to put people off their drinks."
"Sure," Mills said. "My place?"
Percy nodded, and Mills whipped them away in a crack of apparition. Once the preliminaries of arrival had been dealt with Percy settled on to the sofa.
"Drink?" Mills offered.
"Yes, something soft, please."
Mills pulled his wand from its holster, and it dipped and twirled summoning the drinks from the kitchen. "I don't have a girlfriend or ex."
"I know," Percy replied. "But the reason you chased me through the Ministry is the same reason we're here tonight, and if anyone asks you are lamenting the fact a witch won't pay you a moment of consideration."
"It's bad then?"
"If you've heard the rumours flying about the canteen, then yes."
"How long has the Minister got left?"
"A week at best. Though more if Scrimgeour goes quietly."
"Percy, my family. You know that they are on the wrong side. I do not want to tell either my nephew or niece that they are orphans. You've got to help me, Percy."
"There little I can tell you. Scrimgeour is going. So far I don't know who will replace him or if I'll even have a job once they do."
"Your family your parents they're part of the Order of the Phoenix, aren't they?"
"Yes."
"Percy, are you? Is there anything the Order can do to keep my family safe?"
"I'm not, and I cannot tell you not to go to the Order. I will say that if you want something from them, the cost is not always commensurate with the result."
"Then what can I do? There's got to be something!"
"There's very little at the moment. Malfoy is engineering it from the Ministry side, and I don't suppose there is any doubt about who is giving him orders."
"So that's it?"
Percy was about to reply when a knocking came from Mills' front door. The two wizards exchanged a look before Mills got to his feet and went to answer the door. He was back moments later followed by White.
"I heard you were down the Witch and Wand tonight. The place is packed. When I couldn't see you, I thought I'd try here." White said. "Now what's this about a witch that won't pay you any mind?"
"How did you hear about tonight?" Mills asked
"Theresa in Accounting. Caught me on the way out, said that if I was passing, I might find you there. Said she'd heard it from her boss that Mills had been knocked back by some witch. Thought it was fishy since her boss is hardly someone anyone with sense socialises with."
"He was likely whoever it was listening in," Percy said.
"Listening in?" White asked in surprise. "What for? Phil getting knocked back by a witch isn't exactly groundbreaking. Happens all the time."
Mills flushed but replied. "There is no witch, you git. Percy made that up."
"Then what?"
"Tony, you bloody cretin, you've heard the rumours. Now use that brain of yours for something useful. My family, Tony. My niece is half-blood, and my nephew is muggle-born."
"Oh."
"Yes, bloody 'oh'. Now, before your interruption, we were discussing something. Can you keep your trap shut or not?"
"Yes, yes of course sorry."
Percy leant forward sipping from the orange juice Mills had given him. "Look it's not simple, OK. Do anything obvious, and you might as well paint the targets on them yourself. The muggle parents, how much do they know? How often do you see them? Will not seeing them for a few months cause upset? You need to minimise the contact. The regime coming, it's going to go after the muggle-born first. Then the blood traitors and half-bloods no one is getting out of this unscathed unless You-Know-Who is stopped."
"The Order, they worked against him last time. What about this time? Everyone's heard how your brothers herded people into their shop when the Alley was attacked, and nothing got through their wards. They've got to be getting help."
"I don't know. I don't have any contact with the Order. My family do, my parents have more sway than any of my brothers that might have joined, but I don't exactly speak to them. Look if you are desperate to get your family in under the protection of the Order, I can maybe find someone and get it passed up the chain. But they won't shelter muggles, and the best you can expect is a safe house somewhere and waiting it out."
"And if we don't want to wait it out?"
"If we want to do something?"
"Overt action on your own, alone, will get you killed. This isn't some kind of action film where the lone hero stands against an army and triumphs. You will be killed, and that will be the end of it. Rational caution is the best thing at the moment."
"What about you?"
"Me?"
"Come on Percy, you're the Minister's aide. You're about to work hand in hand with whatever puppet they put in that swanky office. And your girlfriend is a muggle."
Percy froze.
"Fuck, she is, isn't she?!" Mills exclaimed with a trace of guilt.
"What?" White exclaimed his head spinning to face Percy.
"I knew it! Well, I suspected. You never did ask when I prattled on about the kids and the muggle world, and you knew what I was talking about. There are not many ways to be that familiar with the muggle world. Action film? Lone Hero?" Mills shook his head.
"A muggle really? I'd never have thought. No wonder you kept her quiet." White chimed in.
"I am not ashamed of Audrey," Percy snapped at White. "I have nothing to be ashamed of, and I will thank you for keeping comments like that to yourself."
White held his hands up. "Woah, Woah. I didn't mean it like that. Just you never brought her up, never introduced her to us."
"My private life is my own," Percy said frostily.
"Yeah of course, but as she's a muggle she wouldn't have been able to come to the pub would she. We could have gone muggle," White said. "Phil has dragged me to enough of them with his family I can manage the muggle world quite well."
Percy shook his head. "I think we have strayed from the topic at hand."
"Not really mate," Mills said. "But if you're as invested as me then fine. I'll let Trevor's parents know we need to lay low for a while."
Percy rubbed his head. "Until the Minister is replaced keep your head down. There have been rumours of more reshuffles coming. They can't put anyone with ambition in office in case he doesn't toe the party line, but a complete idiot is going to need too much handholding. Malfoy can't exactly deliver all the speeches, can he? Either way, it will be an opportunity that won't be passed up to get rid of the dissenters."
"That ponce would like to try," White replied. "I don't think I've ever met a man who loves himself quite as much as Mr Malfoy. How long does it take to brush his hair in the morning? Do you think he puts in in a braid like your Beatrice used to before she went to sleep? To stop it tangling?"
"You're a strange bloke Phil," Mills said.
"And that's the image I'm going to be thinking of tomorrow when he swans into the office. Thanks for that." Percy said wryly. "Lucius Malfoy with a braid and silk pyjamas because you know they'd have to be silk."
The three shared a laugh before the mood went sombre again.
"If you can share more will you?" Mills asked. "Nothing that's going to put you in the firing line but anything that will help keep my family safe."
"Yes," Percy said. "Yes of course."
"Weasley, a word if you would."
Percy nodded rising to his feet, straightened his robes and followed the Minister's retreating form into his office.
"Shut the door, Weasley."
Percy did as requested, and stood waiting for further instruction. To his surprise Scrimgeour drew his wand sending a twist of magic out into the room, activating the inbuilt anti-spying wards embedded into the fabric of the office.
"No doubt, as you seem to keep yourself well informed, that you are aware that my tenure as Minister for Magic is over."
Percy nodded mutely.
"Yes, well as I said, you do keep yourself well informed. However, what you don't know is that Pius Thickenesse will be taking over. He's a moron, but he will fulfil the role prescribed for him. I have for what it's worth, put a word in for you. Whatever your views, you've never let it affect your work and being well informed at least has made you useful."
"Thank you, Minister."
"Don't thank me," Scringemour replied. "I didn't do it for the right reasons. You're a good worker but that split from your family, well, I doubt you'll ever get out from under it. Not many people set themselves against Dumbledore and win. The other side, of course, is stupid enough to think you'll toady to them. You won't. You're many things Weasley, but sycophant isn't one of them. You've never liked me, but you've worked for me, and I'm not such an arse I can't recognise it. So here's the brass tacks. Thicknesse is to be Minister, but he won't be sworn in. I don't know if it's because You-Know-Who wants to be able to replace him if he becomes a liability. Or because their sources aren't as good as they should be, and no one but me or you can clue them into what taking the oaths mean."
"He won't be able to control the Ministry; the wards won't recognise him," Percy said.
"Exactly. I will be surrendering my post, Weasley. I will comply with Ministry protocol, and that will leave just you with access. Keep your job, Weasley. Get in contact with that ragtag group of idiots Albus calls an Order and end this. I've done things I shouldn't, in weakness I accepted that what I needed and thought little of the consequences. Well, my chickens have come home to roost and there's nothing more I can do. I don't regret it, I'm not some sop to think I could have done better. That some glorious victory could have been mine if only. I did what I could, what was possible. I'll live with that for as long as they let me."
Scrimgeour sent another twist of magic out into the office cancelling the wards. "You'll at least be able to hear everything. Though whatever drivel that might be, I wish you the joy of. I shall be glad not to have to listen to Malfoy's condescending drivel any longer. One bright spot I suppose." Scrimgeour glanced around the office. "Right then. Weasley," he said with a nod then walked past Percy out through the door.
Percy didn't move. He stood frozen listening as the outer door opened and closed behind the Minister.
Percy wand came up in his hand. His hand made a movement. His wand twirled swooped and dipped mirroring the actions of the Minister from moments before. His magic washed outwards. The wards rose at his command. Percy knees promptly gave way leaving him crumpled on the plush carpeting, the desk of the Minister for Magic looming over him.
The Minister's aide could only control the Ministry wards when given direct permission from the sworn Minister for Magic and would only revert control when the sworn Minister desired it. Technically it meant that the aide could act in the Minister's stead when they were unavailable or travelling. In this case, as Thickenesse wouldn't be sworn in, it would leave Percy the only sworn Ministry employee with access to the full might of the Ministry. From this very office, he would be able to lock the Ministry down, close off floors, shut down the floo, the apparition points, all the public entry points. He had the ultimate power over the Ministry itself. He had become the Keeper of the Keys.
Logic fought blind panic and won long enough to get him off the floor and back to his own desk. Logic declared this nothing new. He'd always had the access. Never the permission, but always the access. Logic also demanded that he pull himself together. If he was reading Scrimgeour right, then Percy was carrying the responsibility until this was all over. Puppet Minsters might come and go, but as long as Percy held his job, the Ministry wouldn't be available to You-Know-Who.
Percy sank into his chair and gave blind panic a moment to rip through him. He had always believed that he was relatively unimportant, he was one person doing what he could to keep the magical world on an even keel. Now the target on his back was a lot bigger.
A large extended breath blew out, and in a moment Percy was back on his feet heading back into the Minister's office. Behind the desk, he paused once more then grit his teeth and took hold of the bottom right-hand drawer. He pulled sharply, and the drawer slid smoothly open. Percy gulped. Then snorted in annoyance at himself. He had expected it to do that. The fact that it had opened was further proof he didn't need, but Percy persevered and reached down into the desk for the bottle and glass he knew were there. A quick cleaning spell on the glass and Percy poured a healthy measure into it from the bottle.
The spirit went down smoothly sending tendrils of warmth outwards from where it pooled inside him. Percy cleaned the glass and replaced it and the bottle back in the drawer. Fortified and nerves held at bay by the false bravado the spirit had provided, Percy scanned the Minister's desk. He collected up all the files he had sent through to the Minister for final review along with any remaining correspondence. Then he marched from the office and closed the door behind him. Dumping the files on his desk, Percy turned back to face the door. His wand was in his hand, and the spell was spilling from his lips before he acknowledged to himself he was effectively locking everyone out of the office until Thickenesse was given the job. The door wouldn't open till Percy told it to and he had no plans to do so until the day he walked into the office, and Thickenesse was waiting for him.
Percy stuffed the folders into his bag along with the other files from his desk he had been working on before Scrimgeour had spoken to him. He was going home. He'd had quite enough for the day, and if he was going to do what he very much thought he was going to do, then he needed to get on top his work and quickly.
The next morning Percy took a diversion on the way to his office. The deviation would make him late, but then it wasn't as if the Minister would be at his desk expecting him. The detour led him past every Head of Department's office where he handed back the budget reports he had spent the night working on. Each department head was given the same information. All budget reports were to be returned to him as soon as possible or would languish until the New Year to be signed off, likely once the budget had been allocated. He was met with grumbles for the most part. The sneering condescension from the few, he chose to ignore. If they thought that because they were getting a Minister who was controlled by You-Know-Who would mean they could throw their weight around, then they were in for a rude awakening. Thickenesse would be able to sign off whatever budget he liked, but Percy was the only person left on the Ministry account that could authorise the spending. And he had no intention of doing so unless proper channels were followed.
When he finally arrived at his office, Percy found Lucius Malfoy lounging against the door outside.
"Mr Malfoy," Percy said politely unlocking the door and leading the way in. "I wasn't aware I had an appointment with you this morning."
"You don't." Was the reply Percy received as the wizard followed him into the office.
Percy nodded and took his place behind his desk. A flurry of memos came into the room settling into his in-tray. Lucius watched but turned away when Percy turned to face him. Percy collected up the notices and pulled his ledger from his desk opening it up. More memos fluttered in, and Percy began to read them acutely aware of the man loitering in the room.
It didn't take Lucius long to attempt to open the door to the Minster's office. The rattle of the handle brought Percy's head up from his work. "Can I help you?"
"This door is locked."
"Yes."
"Then open it!"
"I'm afraid that the Minister for Magic is the only person that can open the door."
Lucius frowned briefly. "And the Minister's work?"
Percy shrugged. "Awaits the Minister."
The look he received in return was cool and assessing. Percy held himself under it refusing to flinch. They wanted to take the Ministry then they were damn well going to have to their own research. He certainly was not going to volunteer a knuts worth of information.
Malfoy sneered the left in a swirl of expensive robes. Most likely silk. Percy wondered if the plans for Thickenesse's arrival had just been moved up. If the idea had been to gain entrance to the office of the Minister for Magic with no Minister in place, Percy had thwarted the attempt. He wondered if there would be another or if the Minister would take office before Christmas.
A/N: I've had queries in the comments, so I shall bore you with a little information.
In canon Fudge is replaced a fortnight after the debacle at the Department of Mysteries by Scrimgeour. On August 1st, 1997, the Ministry fell, and Scrimgeour is replaced with Thickenesse who keeps the job until the Battle of Hogwarts. Percy is employed as the Minister's aide all this time. He resigns his position at the Battle of Hogwarts shortly before Fred dies.
In my story-verse not much has changed but the timing. Fudge still goes after the Department of Mysteries debacle and is replaced by Scrimgeour. It's not directly dealt with because of reasons….but Percy mentions it in conversation to Audrey. Scrimgeour hangs on to his job longer in my version than in Canon, only being outed in December 1997. No particular reason other than that's how I wrote it. Percy again is employed throughout this period as the Minister's aide.
There really is NO information in Canon about Percy's job, what it entails, and what his responsibilities might be. I'm going along as I wish frankly, concerning what he might be able to do. There is no Deputy Minister for Magic, so I assumed that the Minister's aide who would be a sort of Deputy/PA, lots of responsibility but no real power unless it's granted by the Minister themselves.
Yes, in this story Percy is a bit of a hero, but it's his story for cripes sake, he gets to be the hero 😊