Hey everyone,
This chapter is going to focus on two very important points that will probably be making returns over the rest of the story; Neville and his first meeting with his older brother as well as Percy getting a reality check on what his actions caused within his family as well as how they effected those who actually care for him.
Happy new year,
Venquine1990
Chapter 23
Busy At The Ministry
12th of August 1995
Ministry for Magic
Neville's POV
I may have never met him, yet I always felt as if I have known my brother for years thanks to how my family treats both me and his absence. Not only has my gran always made me feel like I have to be like my dad in order to fill in the gap his mental absence left her with, but my other relatives were very often even worse.
Over the course of my young life I definitely grew to have a firm dislike for Slytherin House, but that was not because of Voldemort, what his minions did to my parents or even what I heard about the new Head of House, Snape. It was because my gran, father, mother and later I myself were the only lions in our family and with good reason.
While my relatives always treated my gran with the greatest respect, especially to her face, whenever they were alone with me, they would be horrible in a very mentally disturbing way and this has become the whole reason behind my almost natural shyness; it is timidity created out of constantly hearing the same statement.
That most of my relatives would have rather that I had been taken by the strange power so long ago instead of my brother and that while I was practically raised by them and therefore their responsibility whereas my brother was kidnapped and taken from their lives before there was even a chance for them to so much as meet with him.
And now here he is, apparently willing to just prove my relatives right as he hasn't been here for more than a few days to my knowledge and already he has taken over the responsibility of being the Main Heir of the Line, which is also the whole reason Gran wanted to take me along on this Wizengamot meeting in the first place.
"I sure hope either Susan, Luna or Ginny have a spare room. Seeing as how I might as well just move out of Longbottom Manor and give up all that makes me part of this family in the first place. Now that he's back, I guess it's only a matter of time before I go from the underappreciated child to the forgotten one. How wonderful."
Goes through my mind as I listen to Harry recap his meeting with her Majesty the Queen and then look at those who are with him and think: "Would a family of pranksters perhaps be better than a family of bullies? James Potter and Sirius Black were known to be bullies themselves, yet Harry and the twins hate bullies."
And I contemplate this idea in my head, only listening just enough that I can memorize the events that transpired, something only gran, Professor Sprout and a few of my friends know about, yet apparently I am still too focused on my thought process as Gran startles me suddenly and says: "Neville, it's time to go, the meeting is over."
And for the first time in my life do I feel as if I am in the shoes of my most hated teacher and think: "Oh, so everyone's done fawning over my brother. What a delight." But then I remember another thing that happened during the start of the meeting and think: "I wonder what Harry's brother sees in my own brother."
And I approach the group of adults and teens, not entirely sure I should buy the smiles that they show as they see us approach and when we reach them, do I decide to keep my distance as I say: "You all sure know how to make an entrance." Not adding humor to my voice, but not sounding angry and snarky either at the same time.
"We know it's usually tradition that we get announced by gran at a ball, but we were also certain Fudge would go overboard with his need to blackmail Harry and knew it would be in all of our best interest to just merge the two together and take care of the most important factors just to put a few coals under Fudge's feet."
"For someone who hasn't been here for more than a week, you sure already know a lot about our world." Yet I keep this thought to myself as I am well aware that there is a time and place for everything and then turn to the one person I actually care about and am happy to see here; especially considering my future plans.
"Harry, if this was your idea, it was brilliant, pal. Exactly what Fudge deserved and what our country needed." This makes the boy smile and then he sends a quick look at his parents and the others before he asks: "Hey Nev, can I talk to you for a minute?" And I shrug before we move slightly away from the group of our two families.
"What's wrong?" He instantly asks once he believes we are out of hearing range and I ask: "What do you mean?" To which the boy rolls his eyes and I sigh as he has really grown to see through me as easily as I see through him when he needs it and I say: "Okay, you're right. I am troubled – and probably being unfair too."
"Why?" Harry asks and I sigh as I say: "You know how my upraising wasn't much better than yours, right? How I've been forced to live up to expectations that were often beyond too high for someone my age?" Harry nods and I say: "That's because most of my relatives always wanted my brother over me – and they were always vocal on it."
This seems to shock my friend and I nod as I say: "Yeah, they never even met the kid before he was taken and still they feel like I can do no better than to just disappoint them. And – I just know that now that he is back, I will probably go from the under-appreciated – to the forgotten. And – I guess, I'd rather blame that on him than them."
Yet this seems to anger Harry and he says: "I got my family life sorted out, now it's time we get yours sorted out too." And before I can stop him, does the boy move back to where our families are talking and while I hurry after him in the hope to stop him, can I already tell just by how he walks that the boy is too determined to be reasoned with.
"Lady Augusta, I'm very happy that I got to reunite you with your grandson and that my own brother got me my whole family back, but it seems that there are still things that need ironing out." The boy then says and I think: "Here we go. I'm about to be cast out of my own family. Merlin, I hope Harry and Sora will take me in instead."
Gran looks at the boy and he says: "You can vouch for the fact that the floo meeting was the first time you ever got to lay eyes on your grandson as much as I can vouch for the fact that the day before then was the first time I ever met my brother. Therefore, I must ask you this question: are your expectations for Riku higher than for Neville?"
And while both our brothers look confused at this question, does the woman say: "I will most certainly expect Riku to put great effort in learning about our world and society, but no, Heir Potter, my expectations for Riku in this are not higher than they were for Neville while I raised him." To which Harry smiles and says:
"Good, cause apparently they already are in the eyes of our other relatives." This shocks the woman and then Harry says: "As you know, Neville is like a hidden gem. He is incredibly shy and self-conscious and he has a lot of self-confidence issues. And while he confided in me a part of the reason, did I just discover the full reason.
Apparently, even though your eldest grandson was taken from this world to where he was raised before anyone other than your daughter-in-law could see him, all of your other relatives had this entire belief of him – kind of like what the wizarding world saw in my famous title – and they have been very vocal about that to Neville.
They apparently very often told him that they would have rather he be his brother, regardless of them having never met him and having been responsible for Neville instead. And apparently, Neville was hurting over that so much, he almost grew to hate his own brother, just because of how his relatives constantly made Riku outshine him."
"But I've only been here a week." Riku says and I turn red at this as the reality of the whole thing sinks in and Harry turns a little more caring as he says: "I know that, and I don't blame either you or Neville or even Lady Longbottom. I blame the guilty party; the relatives that constantly degraded Neville for a total stranger.
Therefore, Lady Longbottom, I would like to invite you and Neville over to our home where Neville can get to know Riku and vice-versa and where you can have all the support you might – might – need when you set your relatives straight. And I'm sorry if I intrude on personal matters, but this unfairness is just too much."
And to my absolute amazement does my gran actually smile at the lad and say: "Heir Potter, you are a true contribution to both your House and our Alliance and I thank you for not letting this unfair act be a reason for you to break that bond. Neville and I will gladly take your invitation to your home as well as your assistance, won't we Nev?"
Yet while I feel amazed over how willing she is to accept this as well as ignore her question, is this only because I think: "Finally? The chance to finally stand up to those who have been my homeworld bullies since I was old enough to walk and talk? Gran actually picks me over even her brother?" And this makes me smirk in sinful delight.
Amelia's POV
The Wizengamot meeting is over, Cornelius had his mistake thrown in his face and now I get to have a personal meeting with a man this country has considered a traitor and murderer for the longest time, a man that apparently has been cleared of all charges by her majesty the queen herself, which makes only one thought cross my mind:
"Sure would have been nice if Cornelius had informed me of this so I wouldn't be wasting my Auror force on a useless hunt for the last week." Yet because it is Sirius Black, father of Harry Potter, do I already know that this would have never happened as Cornelius actually seems to take personal offense to anything the lad does.
"That man needs to get his head on straight, seriously." Is what I think while working on the file that will, in name of the Ministry for Magic, clear Sirius Black of all charges when suddenly I feel a presence in front of me and instantly I cast a silent alarm spell and want to reach for my wand when a smooth voice says:
"We both know that's useless, Amelia, so don't even bother." And with fire burning in my eyes, do I glare at Lucius Malfoy as I sweetly ask: "Lord Malfoy, don't you have a meeting with the Minister right around now?" And the man's answer of: "Cornelius can wait." Instantly makes alarm bells ring in my own mind as well.
"So, to what do I owe this honor?" I ask instead of showing him how I am starting to grow slightly fearful and the man sighs as he says: "You owe this meeting, Lady Bones, to the mistake I see you are actually already working on." Yet I don't let the man intimidate me and instead ask: "What? Following her Majesty's orders?"
And the man actually drops his calm façade to glare at me before another voice sounds behind me and says: "You're wasting both our time, Lucius." And looking over the man's shoulder, I see my appointment standing in the hallway, leaning against the other wall and having his arms crossed as he says: "The title is already set."
"Yes, where it rightfully belongs." Lucius smirks and then Sirius snickers before he says: "Ah good, I was worried you would disagree with the acceptance of the Wizengamot magic. Seeing as how it made your son in third place for the whole inheritance instead of second.""What do you mean? Draco is the only one with Black blood!"
This makes me roll my eyes and think: "What on earth did this man hear about the latest meeting? Cause it sounds like he missed a few important bits of news." Yet Sirius ignores the furious snarling and walks past the man as he says: "Didn't listen in on the whole meeting, did you? I have two sons, who have been recognized as mine.
Harry Potter and Sora Arturo. Both sons of myself and my mate by Veela bond, James Potter. Yes, our famous Boy-Who-Lived is both a Pureblood and Second in line to inherit everything I, as Lord Black, will leave him if anything happened to me. Though of course, Sora will be first in line and – sadly enough – Draco is third."
This seems to infuriate Lucius enough he actually loses his façade completely and draws his wand, but while Sirius had sounded lofty and careless, does he then hiss: "Don't even think about it." And this makes Lucius stop halfway from pulling his wand out of his cane and Sirius turns fully to the blonde as he says:
"You and I both know what happened to Sora and Riku all those years ago and if you think they ended up somewhere terrible and became weak and friendless; then allow me to prove you wrong here and now. This, Lucius, is what you will face if you try to bring even a sliver of harm to either myself or anyone in my family."
And as he raises his arm to the side, do both my and Lucius' eyes widen as a portal made of dark swirling mist and smoke appears at where his hand is aimed at and from there the other kids from the Weasley family, bar little Ginerva and her mother, appear alongside a whole group of other people, all of them looking stern and serious.
A man dressed in Ancient Greek attire, a man who has wild-looking hair and bulging muscles under his suit, a pair of man and woman that actually breath royalty and who each have a sword at their side and a girl that, while only a few years older than my own niece, seems to actually have more battle experience than even Sirius as an Auror.
"And these – are just a few of the friends my son has made over the years he has been away from me. How much percent did you say it was, Kairi?" Sirius then asks the experienced looking girl and she smirks as she says: "I'd say between five and ten percent, Sirius. Fifteen at max, but then you're definitely stretching it."
And Lucius seems to realize that he really is outnumbered before Sirius says: "They may not be here yet, Lucius, but you won't be seeing any of us again after this until the start of the school year and by then – that percentage definitely will have increased greatly. Just remember that – and leave. I have a meeting to attend to."
And while Lucius glares at the whole group of warriors, does he then put his wand back in its holster, making the royal couple take their hands off their swords carefully, before he huffs and says: "Just make sure your son remembers the warning I gave him at the end of his second. Now, with my allies once more gathered, that warning will come true."
And while it would take a fool not to recognize that for the threat it is, does Sirius mutter: "Just get going already." And the blonde man's face turns into a scowl at the fact that Sirius' tone of voice sounds uncaring and bored before he turns on his axis and leaves my office, apparently having enough decency not to slam the door.
"We'll go get Percy. It's time we have our meeting as well." Bill then says and Sirius nods at him as he says: "Good luck, it doesn't seem as if either Lea's warning or the meeting with the queen has done anything to make him change his attitude. That title has really gone to his head." And the Weasleys cringe before they leave.
"Harry with Sora?" The girl Kairi then asks and Sirius nods as he says: "They're still in the Wizengamot meeting room. You know where that is, right?" And the girl nods as she says: "Thanks to your cousin, I do." Making the Lord of Black smile before the young girl takes the lead over the rest of the group and leaves.
"So, still interested in my tale, Amelia?" Sirius then asks me and while part of me feels more interesting in the backstory of his long lost son as well as the story behind his friends and who they are, do I feel my professional side overcome this curiosity and I nod, smiling as I invite the man to take a seat and start talking.
Percy's POV
"This day just can't get any worse. I – I just cannot believe that – that the entire Wizengamot has turned against the Minister like that. How did Potter even manage that? And how did he get Madam Bones to just utterly drop the charges that were brought up against him by the Minister himself? Does she really not care for this?"
Goes through my mind as I am working on all of the paperwork that the Minister is actually demanded to write out, but that I felt are beyond below someone of his station, yet then my first thought gets proven wrong as a knock sounds on my door before two Aurors enter it and one of them named Tonks speaks up and says:
"Mr. Weasley, we have a case that the queen herself demanded we report to you before we proceed with her sentence for them. We are to report to you as the queen desires for these two criminals to be sentenced the magical way as Muggle England no longer has a death sentence. Yes, these two have been sentenced to death, Mr. Weasley."
"A ruined meeting, Potter has more support than the Minister and now I have to join in on a death sentence? Worst day ever!" Goes through my mind before I sigh in utter defeat and tiredly say: "Bring them in and tell me their crimes and reason for the death sentence." And after they nod their heads do I get a shock unlike any other.
Chained with cuffs that are brimming with magic restraining spells as well as spells to keep the prisoner subdued and calm, actual prison wear on their forms and both of them looking as if they've been in a Ministerial Holding cell for at least a week, do my mother and youngest sister enter the room after the two Aurors.
"WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?" I instantly shout and then the other Auror states: "Molly Anne and Ginerva Molly Weasley, you have been sentenced to death by her Majesty Queen Elisabeth the Second for charges of rape, child abuse, kidnap of a Lord, Dark Magic, thievery, fraud and intent on poisoning through Love Potions.
You have been proven guilty of all charges by her Majesty the Queen as well as the International Confederation of Warlocks and the Parliament of Muggle England and have had your confessions recorded by a Dicta Quill writing with ink that was mixed with the same Veritsaserum as you yourself were fed during trial.
You will both be sentenced to death, yet on record of the Last Wish law of her Majesty's ruling, you are allowed this one last meeting with your son and brother. You requested one last meeting with your entire family, yet due to the personal nature of your crimes, all other members of your family refused as they denounced your family bonds."
This shocks me absolutely senseless and then the two Aurors move to stand in two corners of the room with their arms crossed and each of them holding their wand in hand, to which my mother softly mutters: "I requested a private meeting." Yet Auror Shacklebolt says: "The queen herself protested against this; continue your meeting."
And while my sister whimpers at this, do the two then hold quiet, yet I myself am too shocked to even do anything as I just don't know how to respond to this new turn of events and then my sister asks: "Can these cuffs come off?" And Auror Tonks answers: "We are allowed only to lower the Subduing spells, no more." And she does as said.
Instantly I can see a little more life return to the two, yet while this kind of reminds me of what my sister went through in her first year, do I get the strange feeling that this time the whole thing is a lot more deserving and then I remember one of the charges and turn sickly white as I stutter and ask: "You – you – you raped someone?"
Yet before either my mother or sister can respond, does Auror Kingsley say: "Rape in the third person method. The crime is linked to their thievery and fraud crime as they paid a single Muggle stolen money to make him and his sister rape their nephew. We even have the nephew himself confessing to this as well as the report."
This both shocks and relieves me and I look back at two members of my family, the both of them actually silently begging me without words to come to their support and defend, yet I think: "Defend of something that even the ICW has confirmed as truth? How am I supposed to defend them against something like that?"
Then Auror Tonks speaks up and says: "Mr. Weasley, if you don't initiate contact, we will be – by the record – forced to commence to the next step and escort these two to the Veil of Death. Also, please know that, one floor down, your father is waiting to give you a more personal report and explain the rest of the situation.
The rest of your family is there as well as your father, after discovering all of this, has been deciding on changes within the family and wishes to have you present when these changes start. Just let us know if you prefer that meeting over this one and we will continue our job. Also, this suggestion was offered by your father."
And while I should probably feel insulted that my father, again, thinks I can't handle something like a meeting with my own mother before her death, do I then contradict this with the fact that she is not dying through a sudden attack, murder or a natural cause, but due to her having broken the law bad enough to get the death sentence.
This alone makes me sigh and get up out of my seat as I say: "I can read in my mother's eyes that she wishes me to try and undo all of this and defend her honor, but she seems to not realize that this is a situation that even Minister Fudge cannot undo unless given direct permission by the ICW themselves. So yes, you may continue.
I'm sorry, mother, but even I know the limitations of the Ministry, as few as they are." And while I probably would have said other things had my mother been on her deathbed or something, do I feel that taking this the professional way is the best way in this situation, yet then my issue gets worsened by something unexpected.
"Aurors, I will be taking over your responsibility for these two." Dolores Umbridge actually says, speaking up from where her office connects to mine, yet while the look in her eyes actually makes a shiver of fear run down my spine for the first time since I started working here, do the other two remain stoic and say:
"Sorry Ma'am, no can do.""I order you to hand over responsibility this instant." The woman snaps and Tonks retorts: "And the Queen herself appointed us their guards until they passed through the Veil of Death, no objections accepted." And to my shock does Madam Umbridge actually look pissed over being outdone by her Majesty.
"She can't be that Anti-Muggle – is she?" Goes through my mind as I turn back to the two Aurors, Auror Tonks actually turning the Subduing spell back to full power and ask: "Which office can I find my father again?" And Auror Kingsley answers: "The Coffee room on the far left of the elevators; fourth door on the right."
I nod and after the two have actually bowed to acknowledge myself and Madam Umbridge, does the woman turn to me and say: "See if these changes are Ministerial beneficial. If not, make sure you remember where your loyalty can get you the most." And at this I nod before donning my official robe and leaving my office.
"Could it be? Was mother the one that led father into following Dumbledore? Is Father finally seeing the light? Is he finally willing to see how great Fudge is? Will he and the others actually leave Potter? It would certainly be a good way to break Potter's reputation, especially now that the brat seems to be so much on the rise again."
And these thoughts make all of the shock I feel vanish, making a happy and excited smile grow on my face as the elevator descends a level as well as moves so that the door is opposite of the one I have to be at and I quickly drop one of the Galleons I earned recently in the small tip slot in the wall before leaving the moving construction.
I then move into the room and say: "Greetings, father, everyone." Yet the others seem shocked to see me this excited and then Bill says: "Please tell me you didn't try and undo that woman's rightful justice." Yet I instantly shake my head and say: "Of course not, I'm just happy to hear that you guys are finally seeing the light."
Yet the groans that this is responded with shock me and one of the twins says: "We should have known." Before the other ends: "He would take that the wrong way." And instantly I remember and mutter: "Wait, you two betrothed yourselves to House Potter." And the two nod as they chorus: "The first in three-hundred years."
Instantly the last words of Madam Umbridge run through my mind and I straighten out my robes as I say: "I appreciate the effort you made in keeping me from making a mistake, father, but considering –.""In name of your House and as Heir to this family, shut up and listen." Bill suddenly snaps and this instantly shocks me silent.
"We should have known." A dark voice then says and my shock increases as I see that it's coming from Ron as he says: "We should have known that – if it doesn't concern or benefit Fudge's little agenda – Percival just will not care." And instantly I feel as if I got stabbed in the back with the sword of Godric Gryffindor and whisper:
"You – you never called me – you always call me –." And Ron retorts: "Yeah, and I always looked up to you. You were always the one brother I wanted to impress and sometimes even impersonate. But considering how heartless, ignorant and judgmental you've been lately – I actually regret all of those ways I hero-worshiped you.
And so does Harry." This name instantly angers me and he asks: "What does Potter have to do with this?" And the question: "Who do you think was their constant victim?" Makes me stumble back in shock, incredibly grateful when Charlie conjures me a chair to crash into as my legs give out from underneath my form.
"Yes Percy. James Potter was victim of Molly's kidnap and Harry was victim of everything else. From the abuse and rape that they paid the Dursleys to put Harry through with his own money to the Love, Loyalty and other potions they were feeding him and were planning to continue feeding him all the way to his deathbed.
And to make matters worse, they – under Veritaserum – confessed to the fact that Ginny has been taking Fertility potions since last year and that, thanks to this, Harry would have probably been murdered on his own wedding night, after the two would have consumed the marriage and confirmed Ginny's pregnancy."
And this news makes me feel ready to faint before a new thought follows it and gives me a new burst of energy before I ask: "Wait, if – if Potter was victim to – to her Dark Magic – does this mean? Could that mean that your support of him and – and his statements regarding well – You-Know-Who –." But all of my brothers shake their heads.
This makes me groan and think: "How on earth can I help them see the truth when two of them are so deeply entangled they even want to marry that –." But then Charlie says: "Percy stop. I know what you're thinking and Harry does not deserve to be insulted, especially not by someone he has considered a brother for years."
Yet at this I roll my eyes and mutter: "If he considered –." But then Ron snarls: "Don't you even dare go there, you selfish prat." And I look at him shocked as he says: "For Mer – for Founder's sake Percival, you calling Harry a liar on Lily's murderer is like Harry calling you a liar on uncle Gideon or Fabian's murderer!"
"That is nothing like it!" I protest, but the boy actually glares at me and says: "If you were to approach Harry with the statement that Dolohov was after you and that he had already killed father, Bill and Charlie, what do you think Harry would have done? Do you think he would have supported you – or called you a liar?"
And instantly I feel my whole world falling apart as I realize that – were such a thing to happen – Potter would indeed scoff at the latter option and would sooner die than do anything other than the former, but then I remember where Dolohov is now and this makes me instantly get back all the professionality they took from me.
And so, with my head cool and clear, do I take a deep breath, move out of my chair and again straighten out my robes before I say: "Your example is touching, Ronald, but impossible to come true. Dolohov is in hands of the Ministry and kept guard within Azkaban prison. Also, I work for the Minister himself, so reaching me?"
Yet apparently I underestimated Ron's anger as the boy lunges at me with a furious shout of rage and before I know it has the tall, lanky boy tackled me to the ground, me having reached for my wand in my shock, yet the boy has already knocked it out of my hand and before the eyes of all my shocked brother does he pummel me.
"You selfish, delusional, self-centered, arrogant, good-for-nothing, disgusting, betraying, Founders-damned, bastard! So you work for Fudge! Fudge is a liar! He is human! He can lie! He can make mistakes! But when people make mistakes, they should rectify them, not fake they don't exist or place them on others' shoulders!
Harry looks up to you! I look up to you! But you don't deserve that! You are an embarrassment, Percival Ignatius! An embarrassment to the Ministry, an embarrassment to the title of Assistant, an embarrassment to the title of Prefect, of Head Boy and to the name Weasley. Being related to you is an embarrassment! You hear me?
If you ever hurt Harry again, if you ever come near him again with these intentions, with these thoughts – the twins will be the least of your worries. Heck, his father will be the least of your worries. And guess what, Percival. He was under guard of the Ministry – and he managed to survive Azkaban as well as escape it. So take that!"
By now the boy has stopped pummeling my face, yet the whole thing still hurts like hell and to my shock does the boy actually spit in my face, right into my swelling eye before he gets off of me and then does something that makes me feel as if he breaks my heart as he says to dad: "Told you this was a waste of our time." Before he leaves.
"We'll go after him." One of the twins says and the other goes on: "We'll take him back to Harry and the others." And father nods before the two leave. I then get thrown an actual icepack and hear Bill say: "The cubes are filled with all kinds of medical spells. They should undo the swelling within half an hour to less." And while I put the thing so that I can still see but also cover my wounds, can I not help but ask:
"You planned this?" And both my brothers groan before Charlie snarls: "No Percy, we didn't plan for Ron to beat you to the shape of a Flobberworm, but we did see it coming. Like he said, Ron looked up to you more than anyone else and when you left, you silently told him you support father, so you are no more important to me either.
You didn't ask him if he chose father over you, you just assumed that and treated him no better than you did father. And that, considering how much he still looked up to you until that point, really broke him apart. And you know, Ron, when something hurts him, he sooner gets angry instead of sad. So yes, we expected him to do this.
We don't like it and we don't approve of it, but we do understand." This makes me look down in anger, but then Bill says: "You may feel betrayed now, Percy, but Ron has been feeling that sense of betrayal this entire summer." He then gets up from the seat he himself was in and looks down at me from his length as he says:
"You may now work for the Ministry – and yes, we know how much you dreamed of that – but that doesn't make the whole world revolve around you. I checked, Percy, and I make three-hundred more Galleons a season than you – and I'm one of the lowest ranked Curse Breakers in my squad, so just let that sink in."
To which I can't help but snarl: "Why are all of you so against me?" And the older man sighs before he says: "Because you are pretending as if you are the only one – who got hurt when you betrayed us." "I DID NO SUCH THING!" I shout, but while I had jumped out of my seat, does the look in Bill's eyes instantly take me my anger.
Instead I feel scared as he looks at me as if I am suddenly a stranger he met in some dark alley and feels like defending himself against before he coldly tells me: "You chose power and money over your brothers and father. You did betray us – and your betrayal did hurt. So stop pretending that you're faultless and take responsibility.
Feel the guilt we deserve – that is, if you still care for us as more than just people working under your new boss. If not, just stop calling yourself Percy Weasley. Because if you continue down that path, that name will only hurt us more. It will only further remind us – of the brother who hurt and betrayed us – over a man who is just his boss."
And with that the man too nods, my shocked eyes following his actually defeated looking form, as if with the speech he just gave me, he gave up on ever reconciling with me as his brother ever again and while this makes me want to cry, do I then whisper: "Just my boss? He's – he's –." But then Charlie clears his throat and I turn to him.
"Percy, the time a Minister remains in office in this country is much shorter than in Romania – and even there the Minister gets replaced every three to five years. Fudge isn't going to remain Minister until your deathbed and he definitely never did anything to deserve this level of loyalty. Just think about that – and maybe read these."
And with that he gives me a strange set of papers before gripping my shoulder and whispering: "Show us the brother we lost, Percy. Please, before you burn the last bridge you have left." And while I could barely hear it with either Ron or Bill, do I suddenly hear a heart-wrenching pain sounding through Charlie's voice as he leaves.
I then look at father and get shocked when I see that there are actually tears running down his face before he whispers: "I don't want this, Percy. I – I don't want this pain – within my family." And with that and a shocking hug that almost makes me feel how much the man is hurting, does the Lord of my House leave me in the coffee room.
Hey everyone,
So, this is probably not the happy-go-lucky chapter you were hoping for at the end of the year. But while Percy will definitely think over everything he has heard and done, will it still take the forsaken Weasley kid sometime before he truly comes to his senses and rejoins his family – though it won't take as long as in Canon.
Why did I put this in the end? Because every story needs certain aspects to work, at least in my eyes. One is a character that a majority of the readers can either get behind or want to support, another is one they can recognize themselves in, then there is one they either love to hate or hate to love and the final is a problem character.
What is a problem character? To me, that's Percy, especially in this story. You know he's in the wrong, you know he should apologize, yet you still want to see him either ignore his own faults or struggle to make things right before you can consider it acceptable for those that love him or are close to him to forgive his actions.
Yeah, that's Percy,
Venquine1990
