Chapter 17
Percy couldn't afford to be late. Should this particular meetinggo poorly, well, he didn't want to even imagine the far-reachingconsequences it would have on his career. Not even the sheer likelihood that this meeting would go sideways was enough to entice him to reject it outright. Besides, refusing to attend would be a worse offense than simply spitting on the man.
"Lord Black," Percy greeted, hiding his surprise at how early the older wizard had arrived. "Pleasure to formally meet you."
"Thanks for coming," Sirius said waving for Percy to sit down. "I appreciate your flexibility considering I reached out to you on rather short notice. Unfortunately, my daughter and Godson shared new information seconds before they were due back at Hogwarts for the winter term."
"It's not a problem at all," Percy answered, glancing at the waitress who arrived with a pot of tea for the two wizards to share. "Albeit, I must admit my surprise at your request to meet in muggle London."
"It's more private," Sirius answered, as he poured himself a cup. "Honestly, it's just easier than dealing with the hordes of sycophants and media that keep following me around."
Percy nodded, as Sirius passed him a cup of tea.
"Now, the reports I've received have you graduating with honors, while also fulfilling the duties of Head Boy and Prefect while at Hogwarts. I understand that you're currently workingas a file clerk for the Ministry. All that correct?"
"Yes," Percy answered, unable to fully quash the flattery he feltover the new Lord Black's research into his background.
"Bit beneath you to be stuck filing, isn't it?"
"Paying your dues is an important foundation of every ministry career," Percy replied without hesitation. "It not only teaches you the ins and outs of ministerial work, but it provides an excellent opportunity to network."
Sirius grinned at him, obviously struggling to restrain himself from outright laughing, "They've already got you speaking as a professional politician. Credit where it's due, the Ministry works fast."
Percy chose not to respond, and instead waited for the older wizard to continue his inquiry.
"What's your opinion on policy advisors to the Wizengamot?"
"They're highly coveted positions," Percy answered. "Rarely available, and always decided on nepotism. Currently out of my reach."
"Why do you say that?" Sirius asked. "You don't believe you're qualified?"
"As I said Lord Black, Policy Aides for Wizengamot seats are almost entirely decided upon family names and ancient alliances. Neither of which I currently possess, considering my family's refusal to participate in society norms practiced by the Sacred 28, and their continued public disparaging of any sort of traditionalism."
Sirius studied him as he dissected Percy's astute observation regarding his parent's political decisions before deciding to forge ahead.
"How do you feel about werewolves? Can you work with one without succumbing to bigotry?" Sirius asked.
"Werewolves?" Percy sputtered at the unexpected question. "Of course, I can work with the wizard. Now if you're speaking of actively corralling him on a full moon, I am not prepared at all for a job of that caliber."
"Excellent. Considering you've already mastered the pureblood double speak, I'd say you're more than qualified to serve as a policy advisor."
"I find myself at a disadvantage," Percy said, his confusion winning out. "Exactly what is it that we are discussing?"
Sirius smiled, "I thought that would be obvious. The House of Black just reestablished its Wizengamot seat, and needs a policy aide. Your name came highly recommended."
"By who?" Percy demanded, narrowly managing to avoid spilling his tea out of sheer surprise.
"Your sister, Ginny," Sirius answered. "Lovely young witch. She's quite good friends with my daughter Hermione."
"You're taking the advice of a thirteen-year-old witch?" Percy asked in utter disbelief. "Is this a joke?"
"No," Sirius answered shaking his head, and leaning forward slightly. "The information my godson and daughter shared with me, lead me to having an enlightening chat with your sister regarding the events of her first year at Hogwarts."
Percy stiffened the moment Sirius mentioned that horrendous seventh year of his, and glared coolly at the older wizard.
"The events of my sixth year at Hogwarts is no fault of hers," Percy said, prepared to head off this inquiry he presumed was on the precipice of blackmail.
"Of course not," Sirius agreed, noting Percy's narrowed gaze. "Percy, if you thought she was to blame, we wouldn't be having this conversation. However, Ginny insists you have remained the sole member of your family to not notice her bizarre behavior during that year, and attempt to intervene. More importantly, in her opinion, you're still the only one not to blame her for being possessed."
"Unfortunately, my parents are rather blinded by Albus Dumbledore's reputation. Neither are they quiet about their opinions regarding your usurpation of Mr. Potter's guardianship," Percy said, unable to get the irritation out of his voice. "The Headmaster insisted that only his benevolence kept Ginny from getting expelled, and my parents ate it up while convincing the majority of my siblings to forget the entire matter."
"I assure you, Harry and Hermione have not forgotten nor have either forgiven Albus for making Ginny feel the way he did. Although that said, I believe Ginny shared far more with Hermione than Harry."
"While we're clearly of the same opinion on the man," Percy said, trying to remain stoic, "I'm not entirely sure of the relevance of your family's policy aide."
"Percy, you have proven true loyalty while possessing the ability to think for yourself," Sirius answered. "Few are able to do so. I am after an individual who can take the same information and arrive at a different conclusion. Sycophants are what Dumbledore and Lucius Malfoy have at their disposal, and I'm not interested in developing an echo chamber. More importantly, I want someone who can recognize Dumbledore's political maneuvers, aspirations, and see through them."
Percy's eyes widened, "The rumors are true then. You are building a new political coalition."
"Yes, and I want you as the Black Family policy advisorprecisely because you are unafraid to retain a different opinion when you believe it necessary. The fact that your own family is believed to be in Dumbledore's pocket tells you I'm hiring you based on merit. Although I won't lie, I'm not above taking advantage of optics and allowing certain members of the public to make their own assumptions."
"You're wanting to avoid Dumbledore's political tract?" Percy asked.
"I think absolute power corrupts, and considering certain choices the old man has made regarding my godson, I don't trust him at all. If I must remove him from the board to protect Harry and Hermione, I will do so without hesitation."
Percy leaned forward, studying his new boss, with a gleam in his eyes.
"How much has your daughter and god-son told you about their first year?"
"Percy! What a wonderful surprise," Molly exclaimed when he Flooed to the Burrow nearly a week after agreeing to work for Sirius Black. His mother, ever the hostess, ushered him into the kitchen while yelling for his father to join them. The scarlet parchment scattered on the kitchen table immediately caught his eye, distracting from his purpose in visiting his parents.
"Did Ron and Harry steal another flying car?" He asked, remembering the last time his mother had felt the need to pull out her scarlet parchment. His mother harrumphed at the reminder of her youngest son's folly and sheer embarrassment they'd caused Arthur that year.
"No, Ronald's behavior has remarkably improved since he removed that girl from his circle of friends," Molly answered.
"Then why the need to write a howler?" Percy asked curiously.
"Your sister, Ginerva picked a fight with Ron in the middle of the Great Hall, and aired private family matters of the most delicate nature!"
"Are you sure that's what happened?" Percy asked, furrowing his brow. "Ginny isn't one to overshare, particularly where other people can over hear. She's usually more private than Charlie, and you know how he is with information. Honestly, it sounds more like Ron lost his temper.
Molly didn't acknowledge Percy's counterpoint, "Ginny has allowed herself to be influenced by the wrong sorts, particularly that girl Sirius Black adopted. Your father and I both went up there to speak with her about it."
"I take it the conversation did not go well?" Percy asked, already knowing how his sister would have reacted.
"Your sister," Molly hissed through her teeth, "AccusedHeadmaster Dumbledore of drugging the students to his face! I thought your father and I would die of mortification on the spot."
Percy choked on his pumpkin juice as his mother continued muttering over the spaghetti.
"The nerve of my daughter accusing a wizard of Albus' caliber of purposefully endangering students entrusted into his care. The very idea is preposterous! I've known Albus for years, and he would never harm a child! I have never been so ashamed."
Percy knew better than to correct his mother regarding Dumbledore's poor decisions as a Headmaster. Rarely did his mum tolerate dissent, but during her lectures her derision of it was far worse. No doubt announcing he'd agreed to become Sirius Black's policy advisor would send her into a frenzy.
"Then she had the audacity to claim that Hermione Black isn't a negative influence on her."
"Hermione's always been a lovely girl," Percy said, surprised at the vitriol in his mother's voice. "You even said yourself that you thought she had a good head on her shoulders when you met her before the beginning of my last year at Hogwarts."
"Between the behavior Rita Skeeter documented earlier this year, and the fact she allowed Sirius Black to adopt her proves her judgement is skewed. Imagine how that girl's parents feel being repudiated for the likes of Sirius Black and all his ilk," Molly demanded. "Oh wait, I don't have to considering my own daughter threatened to go straight to that wizard and demand he adopt her too!"
"Ginny did what?" Percy asked, his own voice faint.
"My own daughter threatened to go beg to become a member of the Black Family out of pure spite. It's one thing for Black to steal a witch from two muggles, but I will not allow him to sink his dark art hooks into my family. As if that family hasn't been vile to ours for generations, between disowning Cedrella after her marriage and the entire blood feud before that."
"Mum, does Ginny even know of the history between the two families?" Percy asked, earning a disapproving look from Molly.
"Your father and I have never hidden our aversion for families like the Blacks and Malfoys," Molly answered. "Nor have we sought to prevent any of you children from learning about our family history. We've simply refused to endorse any of those nonsensical traditions."
"Percy!" Arthur said enthusiastically, as he joined the two in the kitchen. "Mollywobbles, sorry for being tardy."
"It's quite alright," Molly answered putting a large bowl of completed spaghetti on the table in front of the three. "It gave me a chance to speak with Percy about Ginny. Thankfully that bit of family business hasn't reached the ministry. I'm sure she'd feel awful it impacted your career Percy. How is that going dear? Are you still enjoying it?"
"I did," Percy answered, dread coiling in his stomach as his parents looked up. "I actually submitted my resignation a week ago."
"What?" Molly gasped, setting down her fork. "Percy what will you do for work?"
"I secured a better position," Percy answered, trying to head off his mum's hysterics over a possible unemployment. "It's much better. The pay is significantly higher, and I'll be working in policy. It's still in the Ministry, but it's much better. Honestly, I'm still trying to wrap my head around it at times."
"What will you be doing?" Arthur asked curiously. "I hadn't realized there were openings amongst the departments. Odd time for a chap to leave. Usually the turnover happens just before the election for Minister. Are you sure jumping positions is wise? It may give you a reputation for leaving before the jobs done, especially if a new minister is elected and makes cuts."
"This position is protected from the Minister's purview of employees," Percy answered, struggling to admit he'd be working for Sirius Black.
"Wait, I thought all ministry employees were "at will" employment," Molly said looking confused. "That they all served at the pleasure of the Minister of Magic."
"Most of them do, mum," Percy said. "However, a select few are considered to be independent of the Minister's authority as a deterrent against corruption."
"Arthur?"
"He's right," Arthur said nodding. "Primarily those are located in the courts or the Wizengamot, which is it?"
"I was hired as a policy advisor for a member of the Wizengamot," Percy said, initiating delighted shrieks from his mother.
"Oh Percy! I knew you'd always be successful, oh I can't believe it. How simply wonderful that you'll be working with the Wizengamot. Arthur isn't marvelous?"
Rather than share in his wife's enthusiasm, Arthur was studying in his son.
"Those positions are often difficult to come by, rarely do they turn over, if at all," Arthur said. "In fact, the advisors to the elected seats are normally bought and paid for, while the inherited seats rely on old family alliances."
"What are you saying Arthur?" Molly asked, confusion overtaking her joy. "Of course, Percy would be an incredible asset to any Wizengamot seat. Imagine how Albus will react to have Percy in a position to help curb whatever bigoted agenda that Sirius Black tries to instill. In fact, we should owl him immediately with the good news."
His father's eyes narrowed as Percy didn't speak, and seemed to wilt entirely as his mother continued excitedly rambling.
"Mum," Percy said, finally trying to interrupt her search for parchment. "Mum, I have no intention of coordinating with Dumbledore unless absolutely necessary."
"Why ever not?" Molly asked before looking at Arthur. "What's wrong?"
Rather than answer his wife, Arthur looked at Percy, snapping, "Have you lost your mind?"
"Arthur," Molly protested, still not quite connecting the dots. However, unlike his wife, Arthur Weasley became quiet when outraged.
"No Molly, I want to hear it from Percy. What are you thinking? How could you agree to work for that man…for that family? Didn't you learn anything from the incident with the Malfoy's and what they did to Ginny?"
"Of course I did!" Percy retorted, earning surprised looks from both his parents. "Dad, Sirius Black isn't our enemy."
"Percy," Molly breathed, "You can't work for him. That man is trying to undermine everything Albus has worked to preserve!"
"Not everything Albus Dumbledore has accomplished is good," Percy answered, even as his father was shaking his head. "Merlin, he convinced you Ginny was at fault for her possession! He never informed any of the parents of children who were petrified about the attacks."
"Exactly what is a muggle going to do about petrification?" Molly demanded. "There's no sense in worrying them about it."
"I doubt that would comfort you," Percy answered shaking his head sadly. "I wanted to let you know about my promotion."
"You will turn down that job," Arthur said shaking his head.
"No Dad. I won't."