This Houses Competition: Round 9: This is the end, but it is not forever

House: Hufflepuff

Subject: Muggle Studies

Type: Drabble

Word Count: 983 words

Prompt: [Theme] Corruption

Bonus: [Prompt] A mistake you made has caused unimaginable consequences.

Authors note: Thanks to my beta readers. This fic focuses on Percy's time at the ministry between the 6th and middle of the 7th books and features mentions and brief non-graphic descriptions of the ministry's unsavory activities towards muggle borns at that time.

September 1996

Percy Weasley walked into work with freshly pressed slacks and a new suit coat. His parents may not understand his ambitions, but being professionally minded had benefits.

"Good morning, Mr. Weasley," called a girlish voice.

"Good morning, Dolores," Percy replied, "it's nice to see you back at work." Truthfully, he had been wondering whether she would return. Certainly, the Ministry had made some missteps in handling the Voldemort situation, but that was no reason for Hogwarts to allow students to put the Senior Undersecretary in need of months of medical recuperation.

Still, he thought to himself, had Dolores decided to take a break after such a trauma, he may have applied for the senior undersecretary role himself.

Percy was broken out of his thoughts when Dolores responded.

"How do you feel about the new minister?"

"He's fine, I suppose." Percy wasn't sure what answer she was looking for. "Keeps his office nice and clean. I did like Fudge though."

Dolores gave a little cough. "It's a pity he resigned, but the poor man put up with so much. I mean, the headlines the Prophet was publishing – Scrimgeour has always been rather too militant for me–"

She trailed off, and Percy looked at his watch. They were running late, and he had a great deal of paperwork to do so he nodded to Dolores and the two hurried to their offices.

August 1 1997

Percy rested his head in his hand. As much as he appreciated the praise for a job well done from the Minister, it did seem like the pile of paperwork required from the Junior Secretary was endless. The paper memos flew into and out of his office all day with nary a hint of a respite and whispers about his embarrassing family followed him through the halls on his way to the lavatories.

"Still," Percy spoke aloud to himself, "nice and orderly. That's how the Minister likes things. Nothing good comes from letting things fall into chaos." He stood up and cleared some papers off his desk. A finely hand-lettered invitation fell into the bin with some old papers. It was the invitation to Bill and Fleur's wedding.

"Oh, I do suppose that was today," Percy remarked to himself. His stomach gave an odd sort of lurch and he distracted himself by tidying his pens. Shortly he heard a knock at the door.

"Hello?" he asked, looking up. Pius Thicknesse leaning against the doorframe.

"How are you?" Percy asked.

"I'm well, but I'm afraid I have some disruptive news."

"Is everything alright?" Percy noticed Thicknesse had a glassy, dazed look in his eyes.

"Yes, yes. Everything's quite alright. It's just a minor disruption is all. I'm afraid Minister Scrimgeour resigned. He sent notice by owl this morning and has asked me to stand in his place."

"Oh – that is disruptive," Percy agreed as he tried to squash his disappointment. Thicknesse had been Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. An important position to be, sure, but not one especially close to the minister. He would have expected Dolores to assume the role and then the duties of the Senior Undersecretary may well have passed to him. He hid his disappointment. Thicknesse was an influential man and it wouldn't do to cross him.

"Now–" Thicknesse continued, "Dolores is going to head up a special task force dealing with crimes surrounding muggle relations. We may need you to take on some of her usual duties? Is that all right?"

"Certainly sir," Percy replied, "whatever you need! I'm always willing to help the Ministry." He pushed his chest out a little. Even if he wouldn't have the senior title, surely it would set a good impression to manage some of Dolores' duties.

"Excellent. I'm glad we can count on you," Thicknesse said before leaving the room.

December 1997

Percy was growing frustrated with his job. Whatever Dolores was dealing with was taking all her time and Percy was left doing two people's jobs by himself. The Ministry had been decorated for the holidays, but he wasn't feeling festive.

Exhausted, he got in the elevator. He rested his head against the side and waited for the lift to stop. When the doors opened, he cursed.

"Forgot to press the button," he said apologetically to Yaxley, who had called the elevator and was waiting to get on. Because Percy had not told the elevator to go up to his office, it had gone down to the lower levels of the ministry where Wizengamot trials were held to pick Yaxley up.

As Yaxley entered the elevator, Percy heard a sound of screaming. The other man didn't turn around.

"What's that?" Percy enquired.

"It's fine," Yaxley said harshly.

"I want to check it out, excuse me," Percy pushed past Yaxley.

Down the hall he saw a young man being pulled away by dementors.

"Mum! Help me" he yelled to a woman chained on a bench. The woman looked helpless as her son was carried away.

Percy gave a start as he saw Dolores walk out of the office.

"Dolores, what happened?"

"That young man had his mother steal a wand for him and has been using it to impersonate a wizard. The Muggleborn Registration Commission has seen justice done. I trust you understand, the minister and I are watching your progress ever so closely."

Percy forced his mouth closed. His stomach dropped and he suddenly understood he stood at a dangerous crossroads.

"I understand," he said, trying to make it sound like he really did. "I took the lift the wrong way. I'll be going up to my office now."

In his office Percy sat down and stared at the wall. His father had been right; the Ministry was corrupt and ripe for Voldemort's influence. He didn't know how deep it led, but he knew one thing for certain.

He had to get out.