In the morning Percy and Audrey followed Stitches' directions and joined the other residents of McGonagall Lodge for breakfast in the dining room. Breakfast was brought by a parade of Elves. Audrey politely introduced herself to each one asking their name and thanking them for each dish they brought through.

Thimble, Pins, Needle, Hem and Sew all gave their names and accepted the thanks then vanished promptly.

Audrey noted Percy, Fred and George looked on in mild amusement as she did so but ignored them, assuming that it was some sort of wizarding protocol she had no idea about. When the Grangers and Harry also thanked the elves, she felt better. Perhaps it wasn't so much protocol as an open show of manners and appreciation. Minerva had said the elves took pride in their service, Audrey thought open acknowledgement of that service seemed sensible. However, the reaction of the Weasley siblings made her wonder.

"I'm sensing a theme," Helen commented when the elves left them to breakfast, the table near groaning under the weight of the food provided.

"Yes," Audrey said. "I noticed that too, although I don't know if names are picked or given. Is it usual for them to run in themes?" she asked, directing the query at Percy.

"Names are given, when an elf enters service,"Percy replied. "The theme I would imagine there is a reason for, although I do not know Professor McGonagall well enough to speculate."

"Perhaps Minerva will tell us," Helen mused out loud. "She's expected at lunchtime as she has no lessons in the afternoon."

The conversation around breakfast was stilted after the topic of the elves drew to a close. When everyone had finished, Hermione stood from the table and announced she was going to find a patch of sun then promptly vanished.

Audrey made an inquiring noise at Helen. "Where has Hermione gone?"

"She hasn't," Helen said pointing to the large cat crossing the floor towards the door.

Audrey glanced at the cat then back at Helen. "Hermione can turn into a cat?"

"Yes," Helen said. "Many witches and wizards learn how to change themselves into animals. It's difficult but entirely possible. Minerva is a silver tabby house cat. Hermione is a south American Margay."

"Oh,"

"The form is largely reflective of the witch and wizard, but they do not get to pick as it were," Helen explained. "Shall we follow her I'm sure that you've got questions."

"Yes, thank you," Audrey said following Helen and Hermione out of the room. John and Percy followed on behind as Harry, and the twins headed off in different directions.

Hermione settled on the window sill in the sun tucking her paws under her and her tail around her. Audrey approached cautiously, curiosity driving her.

"She is still Hermione," Helen said following Audrey. "She can understand you. She is still very much Hermione, but she describes it as having cat-like concerns as well. Hence the reason she transformed. The Margay is unconcerned with upcoming events allowing Hermione to push them to the side easier."

Audrey stretched a hand out touching the fur atop of Hermione's head stroking it gently. She stopped and moved back towards the chairs casting a curious glance back at the cat that watched her with equal curiosity. John and Helen sat together on a sofa while Audrey sat in an armchair next to the one Percy had claimed.

"Thank you for agreeing to speak to me."

"Its fine," John said gently. "It can only help to have someone else in the same boat."

"I'm not sure were quite in the same boat," Audrey replied. "You seem so accepting and unfazed. I'm lost. Everything you told me yesterday, everything that will be happening later. We're sat in a library making polite conversation when later today you'll all be going out to get involved in a fight against terrorists. It's just so unreal to me. How do you cope? How can you accept all this?"

"It's not as easy as all that," John said. "We're accepting because we've known for considerably longer than yourself. As for coping, it wasn't always so easy. When Hermione was young, and things happened around her we worried, we were scared. When it was finally explained, the relief that she wasn't ill didn't last long. The more we researched magic with her that year before she left for Hogwarts the more we understood that it was a world we truly had no part in. The expectation was that Hermione would join the magical world and leave the muggle one behind. We didn't wish to lose our daughter, so we made the decision to accept everything. To give her no reason to question or doubt us and our support of her. It meant that we asked questions, we got her to describe her lessons. We treated it much as a subject to be learnt, we read her books and those books we had bought on the shopping trips. It became apparent early on that Hogwarts hadn't told us everything. They hadn't told us about the discrimination, or the society that she was entering wasn't similar to the one she was leaving. Hermione was bullied terribly, she was an outcast until she made friends with Ron and Harry and that relationship was hardly smooth sailing. And the trouble she got into."

Helen smiled at her daughter, picking up John's story. "Hermione was a very good pupil. Her reports from school before Hogwarts were exemplary. She was top of the class and the best behaved. It didn't make her popular with her peers admittedly, but we never worried that she would actively seek trouble. Hogwarts changed all of that. The things she would write home about it was as if a completely different person was writing to us. When it began to get dangerous when the trouble went from name calling to physical attacks we considered pulling her out. There are other magical schools we could have applied to, but Hermione wanted to stay. She didn't want to leave Harry and Ron, and we couldn't tear her away from her friends. It was the agreement that total honesty was absolutely necessary that got her back to the castle. She held her end of the bargain, so we held ours. Until the marriage law but I think by then even Hermione knew that it was too much."

"For all that though, we don't live magical lives. We go to work, and we pay the mortgage. Yes, Dobby does the housework, but he is a new addition to our household. We still travel by aeroplane and car. Dobby, Hermione and Harry can apparate us, and we can use the floo with a magical person, but for the most part it's more like having a few extra perks than anything else," John added

"Don't you find it difficult not to talk about it?" Audrey asked.

"No," John replied. "That actually is the easiest thing. Firstly, because well, who would believe you and secondly because the repercussions are severe. Harry and Hermione would get into trouble, and we would have our memories wiped. It's not difficult at all to keep it to ourselves. When we have problems yes, of course, we would like someone else to talk to someone else's opinion, but it's not worth it."

Audrey paused, considering their words. Percy had told her the consequences, and it had been enough to ensure her silence, but what about the days when she couldn't talk to Percy? What about the days she needed her Mum or Dad's opinion? "It just seems lonely," Audrey said. "Being cut off from everyone."

"It can be," Helen agreed. "But it needn't be. We'll always answer our mirrors I'm sure Harry, Hermione, Minerva, and the twins will also."

"Mirrors?"

Hele looked surprised. "Did Fred and George not give you one?"

Percy spoke up. "Yes, they did but it was before I spoke to Audrey and I couldn't think of a way to make it sound muggle. I have a mobile phone if either Audrey or I need to stay in touch."

"Does it work?" John asked curiously. "We've thought about it, but we weren't sure they could stand up to the magic saturation."

"As of yet no, I have a few ideas however just not enough time in my schedule. I am unsure of how to replace the battery without overloading the circuits."

"Ah," John said. "Well perhaps a surge protector? That could stop it frying the circuits if that is your problem."

Percy frowned. "I'm not so familiar with electronics. If you could offer some advice, I would be interested."

"Yes of course," John said. "A little later perhaps?"

"Yes, thank you."

"Mirror," Audrey said to Percy interrupting his conversation.

"Yes, hang on," Percy stood up and left the room.

"That's another thing," Audrey said. "He can teleport, but he walks upstairs?"

Helen laughed. "It can be considered rude to apparate in someone's house. Also the wards might stop you from doing so, and hitting a ward to prevent apparition hurts, or so I'm told."

"What are wards?" Audrey asked. "They keep getting mentioned, and I forgot to ask yesterday."

"Think of them as forcefields," John said. "That's what I do. Basically, if you think of magic as science fiction come to life it makes it easier to understand things. Wards are magical shields that surround objects or people or whatever you cast them on. So, an anti-apparition ward would stop the witch or wizard teleporting, a waterproofing ward would stop water passing through it. They are quite encompassing in what they can do, and the more complex they get, the more they can do. There are wards on this house that stop it being found by anyone not invited personally by Minerva. There are wards to stop the muggles in the street seeing it at all."

Percy re-entered the room carrying the small silver compact that Fred and George had sent him for Audrey. "You should keep it on you," he said handing it over.

Audrey turned it over in her hands and opened the clasp. "It's a mirror," she said glancing up for clarification.

"A communication mirror, here," John said pulling a small leather-bound mirror from his pocket. He held the mirror in one hand and spoke clearly. "Audrey Stone."

Audrey was bemused by the action and jumped when the mirror in her hand became warm and made a quiet chiming noise. "What do I do?" she asked.

"There will be a symbol etched on the edge of the frame," Helen advised coming to perch on the arm of Audrey's chair, pointing at the symbol. "Put your finger on it."

Audrey did so and was startled when the mirror showed her John's face. Glancing up she saw John holding his mirror up in front of him.

"Hello," he said. The sound came from the mirror and Audrey gasped.

"You mean this is like a telephone with a screen?"

"Video conferencing," John said cutting the call off. "Portable, easier to use and much better than anything available currently in video conferencing technology."

Audrey nodded. "How do I call someone?"

"Put your finger on this symbol," Helen said. "And say their name aloud. Most everyone you have met in the wizarding world has one. And they can all communicate with each other. Fred and George made them with Hermione's help."

Audrey tried out the mirror calling Percy, Helen, John on theirs then Fred. Fred answered it cheerily, and Audrey thanked him for the device.

"Is Percy there?" Fred asked.

"Yes," Audrey nodded.

"Righto," Fred said before ending the call. Moments later the door opened, and Fred, George and Harry came in.

Harry was carrying two small boxes with him and approached Audrey and Percy. "These are for you," Harry said offering the boxes to each of them.

There was a soft thump from the window where Hermione had jumped to the floor. She padded over to Harry and transformed to stand next to him.

Audrey opened the box to see two rings one silver and one gold nestled together.

"One is a shield," Hermione offered. "And the other a glamour spell. The glamour will change you enough to hide your identity. We've been using them while we were away so we could attend school and not tip off Dumbledore. The shields Harry made for my parents and us, they are like a forcefield that will protect you from magic."

"Thank you," Audrey said looking at the young woman.

Hermione shrugged self-deprecatingly. "We're giving everyone as much protection as we can. This isn't what we want, but it's the best chance we have."

"There's one thing," Audrey said. "You all seem to have a problem with this Dumbledore fellow. How can one man affect you all so much? He's just a headmaster isn't he?"

"From my perspective," Harry said finding a seat. "Dumbledore made bad choices. Choices that affected my life. My parents died, and Dumbledore put me with my magic-hating relatives. For the first eleven years of my life, well, it was bad. My godfather was supposed to get custody of me, but he was put in prison without a trial. Dumbledore could have done more, or anything at all, to make sure Sirius was treated fairly. He knew of the problems with my childhood so held Hogwarts out like a gift. I was grateful, of course I was, anything was better than my home life. He hinted and mentioned, and I followed the breadcrumbs like a good little boy." Harry smiled sadly. "I didn't know I was being manipulated, I just thought he cared. He was supposed to be the greatest wizard that ever lived, and he was interested in me."

Harry shrugged. "Hermione kept me safe and sane then Dumbledore turned on her as well when it came to the marriage law. His solution wasn't a solution. She would have been taken before Tom just to hurt me, and I would have done anything to get her back and keep her safe. It was a disaster waiting to happen, and he didn't do anything because he believed that my loyalty would lie with him first as the person who saved me from my miserable childhood. He gave me magic and had known my parents and could answer my questions. None of which he ever did, but it was offered. Always left hanging just out of reach with the promise of just one more thing and he'd answer my questions."

Audrey looked at Fred and George. "Percy said his family followed Dumbledore."

"We did," George admitted shamefully. "Right up until the marriage law. We offered to marry Hermione, the both of us. We knew that she wouldn't be able to have Harry, with him underage, so we thought in a pinch she might cope with one of us. Only the Order or Dumbledore rather wasn't going to do anything. When Hermione's letter arrived, it was pretty damning. She explained why she'd left, what had been happening and yet they argued about getting them back. Not Hermione you understand but Harry. Hermione was secondary to Harry, yet it was Hermione that needed the protection. Hermione sent a half completed spell and the glamour rings and the tape which is when we really knew that there were others like us, no longer swallowing everything Dumbledore had said."

"What I want to know," Fred said turning to his brother. "Is what happened. You walked away Percy. Why?"

Percy fidgeted in his seat. It was possibly time and the only chance he would get, and after the gift, Harry and Hermione had given him and Audrey he felt he owed them at least an explanation. "I was much like Hermione when I started Hogwarts. Not that I was new to magic, but I was determined to prove myself. To step out from under my brother's shadows and prove myself. A trait I fear I have not shaken. I am studious, I followed the rules, respected my teachers. I was probably as unbearably snobbish as Fred and George accused me of being. Humongous Bighead."

Fred and George flushed but grinned as well. Percy rolled his eyes at them and continued. "I wanted to do well. I wished to forge a career for myself that I could be proud of and make my parents proud of. I don't suppose that makes me different from anyone particularly. Wishing to please their parents. Hogwarts' house rivalry has existed for I do not know how long, but it is not impossible to make friends across the lines as it were. I made friends in Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and even managed to find an acquaintance in Slytherin to study with. School houses do not exist outside of Hogwarts. I wished to work in the Ministry and I developed a contact network that could help me achieve it. Friends do recommend friends or acquaintances in some cases."

Percy paused his gaze flicking around the grouping. He had quite simply captured all their attention. He addressed Harry and Hermione. "You probably don't realise, but before you came to Hogwarts, Hogwarts was just a school. There were no adventures, nothing threatening the school or the students. I understood you asked for none of it. I know it cannot be laid at your feet. Do you know how many people went into the third-floor corridor? I was a Prefect if you remember. We caught so many students that first week that the Head Boy and Girl placed a charm on the corridor to deter students from going down it."

"But we went down it" Harry objected. "Ron and I got lost in our first couple of weeks and ended up down there."

"I know. It was tampered with. It still worked, or so we thought, it was turning students away until you three went through it. How else would you have gotten through a charm that repelled the rest of the student body?"

Harry and Hermione exchanged a glance. It didn't need explaining who would have done the tampering.

"Before your arrival, the house point system was fair and measurable. Slytherin house won the house cup for seven consecutive years because they are the ambitions hard working house. The day of your first leaving feast the Headmaster broke over a thousand years of tradition. To be fair, to be fair to everyone, your extra points should have been added before the leaving feast. Before the entire school walked into the Great Hall. Yes, everyone but Slytherin cheered. It was the first time in seven years that the Great Hall wasn't covered in green and even longer since Gryffindor had won the house cup, but the points weren't even justly awarded. They were handed out with just enough margin to prove that no matter the difference the house cup would have been assigned to you. It created a rift between the houses that strained relationships. The headmaster was playing favourites and the feeling of my friends and acquaintances were getting hurt. In their eyes, I was benefiting, thus I was complicit. It was not your fault, it was Dumbledore's."

Percy glanced around, wishing for something to keep his hands from twisting. On seeing the motion, John called for Dobby softly and asked the elf for drinks to be brought. Once the elf had returned with the tray, and everyone had helped themselves Percy continued. "Your second year Dumbledore let a dangerous monster roam the school. Hogwarts should have closed after the first petrification. Nothing justifies risking children's lives in the way Dumbledore did. If the basilisk had appeared in the Great Hall during the evening meal it would have killed everyone. All of us." Percy shrugged sipping his tea.

"It was a creature. It did not care who was pureblood or muggle-born, who came from a family of Death Eater sympathisers and who didn't. Yes, it was under control, but the control of a soul piece of a sixteen-year-old boy inside the body of an eleven-year-old girl. It was a miracle that we only had petrified students. And how easy would it have been for that control to slip? If Ginny had fought back against the soul that was possessing her while the basilisk was in the school, she wouldn't have been able to speak with it. It would have killed her first. She is my little sister. My mother's favourite, my parents who have been loyal, deserved more than their children being thrown in harm's way."

"Then came Black's escape. Dumbledore knew that it was possible to get into the grounds via the Whoomphing Willow. Dumbledore knew the risks of letting a werewolf teach. He never saw to Sirius' lack of a trial and if he had then the school wouldn't have had a swarm of dementors floating around it or attacking the train. Lupin had to save students from being kissed on the train, and your car wasn't the only one affected by their presence. The prefects, the seventh years, were all helpless to protect the younger students. That train had eleven-year-olds on it. Some of them muggle-born, their first taste of Hogwarts was a dementor floating down the train bringing every awful thing that had happened to them. You cannot think that Harry's was the only unhappy home?" Percy shook his head and saw John and Helen stiffen. Audrey was watching him, on meeting his eyes, she smiled and took his hand offering reassurance.

"Then the Triwizard tournament. That was a travesty. The Goblet of Fire was clearly tampered with, and instead of fixing the problem it was allowed to continue. I understand it was bad for you, Harry at school, but in the wider community, we were under siege. The Hogwarts champion was upstaged. The British couldn't count. We were so magically weak we had to field two contestants to ensure we had a chance in the competition. Then it turns out that a teacher was under the influence of Polyjuice potion and had tampered with the entire tournament right under Dumbledore's nose. It was impossible that he was ignorant of what was going on. And if he was then what was he doing? He had a duty to ensure the care and safety of the students in the school, and he had a Death Eater impersonating a man he's known for over thirty years?! Instead of leading, protecting the children under his care, he was using them as political pawns in his power games. We were innocent bystanders, the lot of us, we couldn't do anything." Percy took a breath, it was true all of it, but it hadn't caused the rift that existed between his parent and himself.

"My family was getting hurt because of the power games Dumbledore was playing. He set himself against the Ministry of Magic and didn't care who was trodden on. There could be no public backlash, he presented the twinkly demeanour to the world. Fudge feared him, the ICW listened to him. Thanks to the confrontation with Grindewald he had an in with the Wizengamot as Chief Warlock. He controlled the education of the nation's magical children. He became untouchable, and he used it to manipulate everyone. He deserved to be ousted as Headmaster. Madame Umbridge was not fit to take over, she had no idea how to run a school and by all accounts that wasn't her only failing. But the games the Headmaster was playing stymied the attempts to run the school as a school. I'm not sure he's altogether sane anymore or perhaps he's lost down the rabbit hole of his own making. So focused on the strings he's pulling, he's lost sight of everything else."

Percy stopped to drink his tea, allowing the information to sink in with his audience. They were still paying rapt attention, and he squashed the urge to squirm. This was his chance to get his side of the story out. He didn't believe his brothers at least would turn from him anymore. They clearly didn't trust Dumbledore and had been working around him for some time, but Dumbledore wasn't family.

"When I was promoted, I, I do not believe that I could have ever anticipated the response. I knew that things were happening that were odd and out of place, but I could not see then how they could involve me. How one single promotion of a junior nobody could herald the start of the second war. My parents, and I firmly believe that their information came from Dumbledore, told me that my promotion was not because I had worked hard, earned it, or even deserved it. They told me I was a pawn. That I was little more than an easily manipulated lackey, who would spill secrets about the Order, Harry, and Dumbledore's plans. I was going to be used and discarded. I tell myself that this was not the worth that they saw in me, but I fear at the time I did not believe it. The argument was heated and vicious on both sides. I lashed out. Throwing my father's lack of drive and ambition in his face, his willingness to let my mother dictate the household. For allowing her paranoid hysteria to taint any form of good sense. For them to be just as used and blind as I was in following Dumbledore who had put their only daughter and four of their sons in harm's way with nary a thought. If they were to be believed that You-Know-Who was back, then their leader had enabled the rise of a Dark Lord not once but twice. I pronounced that I would sooner be a pawn of the Ministry than a loyal, blind subservient to Dumbledore."

Percy took a fortifying sip of the tea he held to wet his rapidly drying throat. "It was perhaps a pronouncement made of hurt pride and vanity, but my mother's temper once roused truly is a thing to fear. Howlers from her had at least meant she had sat down and composed herself to write coherently. My mother told me that she had not raised me to turn my back on my family and that it was my duty to resign my position. No son of hers would join with You-Know-Who, marked or otherwise."

There was a deathly silence. Percy made a wry face. "That was rather my reaction too. I had not ever thought she would accuse me of joining the Death Eaters. So, I left. I threw myself into the only thing that I had left, and it turned out to be the ashes that I had been told it was. This was just after the Tri-Wizard Tournament when I became a pariah to everyone wizarding for not realising my boss was his escaped Death Eater son. A wizard who had been kept in a basement for twenty years and was presumed dead. Shortly after that I met Audrey, so the year wasn't a total loss,"

"Oh my god," Audrey said. "No wonder you aren't speaking to your family."

"Things are a little fraught," Percy agreed.

"Did you know?" Audrey asked looking at Fred and George. "Did you know what she had said?"

"No," Percy said answering for his brothers whose faces were still pictures of shock. "I've never told anyone until now. I am angry with my mother, I cannot forgive her words, but I do not think it was something she came to on her own. I believe that Dumbledore played on her fears."

"Percy your mother accused you of joining a terrorist organisation that commits unspeakable acts of violence against other people. Your mother! You're angry?" Audrey said standing up suddenly and pacing. "You're angry? I'm bloody livid! How could she? How could she even think for one moment that you would do such a thing?"

"Audrey."

She spun towards the voice.

"I appreciate what you are saying, but truly there is no need for you to work yourself up over it."

"Percy Ignatius Weasley don't you dare patronise me. I have accepted your magic, I am coming to terms with the fact that today you are going to go out there and fight against people who are looking to hurt you. I have accepted that and done so quite calmly I feel, but if you think that I am unaffected, that I don't wish that none of this was happening, then you are very mistaken. If I want to be angry at your bloody mother for insulting you and being a total bitch then as your fiancée I have the goddam right. If I want to be angry at her because it's better than being scared out of my mind for you, then you better believe that that's what I'm going to do."

Percy blinked at Audrey unsure of where this sudden fierceness had come from. Experience in volatile tempers, however, made sure his mouth remained closed, and he only offered his hand to her.

Audrey scowled at him before accepting the hand and returning to her chair shooting him suspicious looks.

"I apologise I did not mean to patronise you. I only wished that you would not upset yourself on my behalf for words spoken in the heat of anger."

"Of course I'm going to be upset Percy, it was a horrible thing to say. No one should be accused of such a thing, there are lines Percy and some you do not cross."

"I've never thought you were a Death Eater," Harry offered into the silence. "I mean yeah, I get that you were worried about the danger I posed. I mean I was pretty concerned about myself too. But I didn't think you sent Ron that letter because you didn't care. I can't believe Mrs Weasley said that. It's awful. Really awful."

"What did Dad say?" Fred asked his voice quiet.

Percy looked away. Fred made a growling noise in his throat causing Percy to turn back to him.

"He didn't say he believed it too. Did he?" Fred asked in a deadly quiet tone.

"No," Percy said. "He didn't, but nor did he correct Mum. He simply let her shout until I left."

Fred and George looked mutinous.

"You cannot hold this against them," Percy said sharply. "This has nothing to do with either of you."

"Shove off Percy of course it does, you are our brother, and they are our parents. You've been spying on the Ministry to help us. You can't think we are going to stand for this, can you? Wait till Bill finds out."

"No," Percy protested. "Today is not the day to bring a rift between yourselves and our parents. The reasons for my estrangement need not cause further damage."

Fred and George sat back in their chairs their faces insubordinate, and Percy was unsure that he would be heeded. His brothers were no longer liable to listen to him as they had as children.

Percy glanced at Audrey and got the distinct impression she had sided with his brothers. Percy wiped a hand over his face in concern. He felt lighter for sharing the load and getting confirmation from these people that they did not hold the same view as his mother, but more than anything, he didn't wish to drag it all up and face how terrible it had made him feel and how hurt he had been.

Further conversation on the topic was ended when the door opened admitting Minerva and Severus. Eyebrows were raised at the tense atmosphere, but nothing was said as the two newcomers were made welcome.

Fred and George gave Percy a long look before announcing they had some errands to run and some people to see. Percy's ears perked up, and he excused himself to follow his brothers from the room.

"The others, the volunteers that are going to be turning up. How are you getting in touch with them?"

"Communication galleon," George said. "Why?"

"I need some," Percy responded.

"How many?"

"Twenty?"

Fred nodded and made for the stairs.

George stayed with Percy. "It's not right," he said.

"Leave it," Percy said tiredly. "It's done. It can't be changed."

"But Dad at least…"

"Is ruled by mum," Percy said shaking his head. Fred reappeared holding two small pouches.

"They work like the DA coins, they will heat up when we want people to come. Your people. They are alright?"

"Yes," Percy said.

Fred nodded. "If they don't know where the Burrow is the coins can be used as a portkey. They just have to keep hold of them. Those that have been via the shop were given shield rings as well, these are the leftovers we've got. Give 'em a ring and a coin and tell them to wear the rings. They'll stop them being hexed in the back, but they won't stop an unforgivable."

Percy nodded accepting the two bags.

"How are you going to get them to them?" George asked.

"I'll go to the Ministry."

"That's not safe Percy," Fred pointed out.

"I'll go straight to my office and send them out from there," Percy said. "No one will see me."

"The Minister?"

"You think he's going to be in today?"

"It's a big risk Percy."

"It's worth it."

Fred and George said nothing but looked at their brother unconvinced.

"Don't you have things to be doing?" Percy asked.

Fred and George exchanged a glance before nodding and heading off to Minerva's study to use the floo. Percy sighed sagging against the wall.

"Be advised Mr Weasley that your brothers have a point and the Ministry can no longer be considered safe."

Percy glanced over his shoulder at Severus. "I only need twenty minutes sir," Percy replied. "I'll be back before they get to missing me."

"Missing who?" an arch voice asked, and Audrey stepped around Severus.

"I need twenty minutes to run an errand," Percy explained.

"Oh really. What errand?"

Percy huffed as Severus retreated back to the library leaving him to face Audrey. "There are some people, friends of mine that I should warn. I'll be twenty minutes."

Audrey cocked her head. "It's dangerous going there today, that's why we are here."

"Yes," Percy agreed. "But I do not intend to be seen."

"Okay." Audrey nodded. "I'll see you when you get back."

Percy raised an eyebrow in query, but Audrey waved him off. "The sooner you go, the sooner you are back."

Percy shook his head, she would explain later he was sure, and he was aware that delaying would not reduce the danger he faced. Percy left the house via the front door and once past the ward line span himself into nothing. He landed in his office, the crack of his appearance freezing him in place, ears straining to hear anything that might warn him he was in danger.

The office was dark, there was no sound coming from the Minister's office either. Percy's wand flicked a quick spell to check for occupants. The office was empty.

Percy left the lamps in his office dark and felt his way to the Minister's door. He grasped the handle and let himself into the space closing the door behind him. He threw up the privacy ward and took his first complete breath.

Percy lit the lamps and spilt the contents of the pouches on the desk. On a piece of parchment, he wrote a terse explanation then set the charm to incinerate the paper two minutes after it was handled by its recipient. Percy duplicated the note the required times and spread them out on the desk placing a coin and ring atop of each one. Then using another stack of parchment, he configured small boxes, slipping the note ring and coin into each one before writing the direction on the outside and sealing them. That done Percy applied a small compulsion charm to each box to ensure they were opened and the contents protected by the recipients. Then with one more wave of his wand, he sent the boxes on their way tumbling through the Ministry floo.

There were a few more things he could do so Percy tided the desk and moved to the centre of the office. Taking a deep breath, he reached out his magic for the wards. He felt them buzzing around him, and Percy pushed his will into them. At his command, a door appeared in the prisoner cell block. Behind that door, cells began to form up in wizarding space. The door shimmered out of existence until it was needed later, and Percy breathed heavily at the effort it had taken. After catching his breath, he reached for the wards once more. He solidified his idea and pushed his will into the wards. Breaking the connection, Percy sagged slightly. The Ministry would be empty by five minutes past five this evening. Every department, office, nook and cranny would be empty except those that ran a skeleton staff such as the Aurory and the Department of Mysteries. Everyone else would find themselves packing up and leaving, looking forward to their weekends. It would mean that no one would be able to enter the Ministry until Percy unlocked the doors. If he had to, he could bring everyone inside the Ministry. They would have one final bolt hole, and it would be the seat of power in Magical Britain.

Percy really hoped it wouldn't go that badly wrong.