Here is chapter 3! :)
This chapter was updated as of 8 June 2015.
3. Percy: The Settling Dust
There was something about stepping foot into the Ministry of Magic that gave Percy a sort of rush. It might have been it's sheer enormity, or the magnitude of power placed in one building.
Nevertheless, Percy was glad he was back. He needed to take risks in his life, and this was one of them. Besides, he was doing it with the full support of his family, and that was all the support he really needed. That was something he had failed to acknowledge the first time around.
Percy wove his way through the throng of witches and wizards and went to the main service desk. The line seemed to be infinite. He trailed along it until he found the end and took his place. The Ministry seemed more busy than he had ever seen it, and he had seen it in many different forms. Perhaps it was the numerous reforms taking shape, or the countless grievances and crimes so many in hiding had to report. You-Know-Who may have died four months ago, but there was still no shortage of wreckage to clear.
Of course, Percy could have talked to Arthur, a few words would be put in for him to Kingsley, and he wouldn't have to worry about all of this lining up business. He had the experience, and it's not like he was ever on You-Know-Who's side - he even fought against Thicknesse. However, the first try around at his career, Percy had not exactly been the best son or brother. He didn't want to get a job based on any of that.
Percy glanced behind him to see the line had extended even further. His eyes settled on the woman right behind him. Her pale skin was only blemished by freckles across her nose and cheeks and emphasized her youth. Dark brown hair was pulled back tightly into a ponytail. Her features betrayed no emotion. Suddenly, her green eyes flickered and met Percy's blue ones.
"Sorry," Percy said instinctively. "I was just thinking about how long the line had gotten."
The woman scoffed. "Tell me about it. But I'll camp out here if I have to."
Percy laughed lightly at her determination. "I'm Percy."
"Audrey," she said in reply.
There was very little Percy could think to say. She was clearly lost in her own thoughts and Percy, knowing the feeling very well, didn't think it wise to disrupt her. She also held an air of aristocracy around her that he didn't even slightly wish to delve in. Nevertheless, Percy couldn't help but think that despite the fact that Audrey clearly oozed confidence, she was probably a harmless and considerate person.
Of course, he hardly knew her, and he was really just trying to pass the time in the queue.
"My goodness! Audrey Callaghan, is that you?"
Percy instinctively turned his head to glance at the woman. Her features now showed emotion, and it was a mix of anger and frustration. Her pale skin was turning into a shade of pink. She didn't turn to her name being called.
"It really has been a while since I've seen the friendly freckled face of a Callaghan."
Finally, Percy looked to see who was calling the woman and quickly recognized the person. It was Daphne Greengrass. She was a Slytherin in her time at Hogwarts, and the Greengrass family was one of the oldest wizarding families. They were strongly rooted in the standards of pureblood supremacy. There goes harmless and considerate, Percy thought. It wasn't like him to assume the worst in people, but people like Daphne Greengrass had a very limited friend group, so he really couldn't help it.
"Daphne. What a pleasure."
"Oh, darling, the pleasure's all mine," Daphne said airly. Then she moved closer to Audrey and said in a lowered voice, "You know, others judge you for not choosing sides, but the Malfoys weren't much better, now were they?"
"I didn't choose to not choose sides."
Percy found the answer peculiar. The "sides" in question were obvious - You-Know-Who or not killing half of Britain's witches and wizards. The conversation was intriguing, to say the least. Percy chided himself for eavesdropping. Honestly, George was rubbing off on him far too much.
After that, Daphne stepped closer to Audrey and the rest of the conversation was hushed. Soon after, Daphne Greengrass went on her way. Percy glanced back one last time to see Audrey standing with her arms crossed and her face glowing red. Percy wasn't sure if it was out of anger or embarrassment.
After that, the queue seemed to be moving much faster, possibly because more attendants had arrived at the service desk. Regardless of the reason, he was glad the line was moving quickly. Percy wanted nothing more but to omit the entire scenario that had unfolded near him from his mind. It was strange, mysterious, and not worth his time. Sure, he was curious, but he thought it best to leave it alone. Elite pureblood families had their own problems to solve, and he wasn't about to get involved in it.
Soon enough, Percy was on his way to submit his application for a clerical job. If he was going to start his career all over again, that meant taking administrative and assisting jobs all over the Ministry. It would be tiring, but it would pay off.
Once he arrived at the dispatch floor for assistants, he approached the woman at the desk accepting applications. He handed her the envelope with his application.
"Percy Weasley," he said.
"Wonderful," she said cheerily. "What a tragedy it was, by the way."
"Pardon me?
"Oh, your brother. Really, my condolences," she said sweetly. "Are you sure you're ready to take on this workload?"
The question angered Percy, for some reason. Here he was, finally picking up the courage to move on and make something of his life, and someone was questioning if he was ready. Courage wasn't about readiness. It was about doing, no matter what.
"Yes. I wouldn't be here otherwise, know would I?" Percy answered sharply. He hadn't meant to sound so rude.
The sickeningly sweet smile dropped off the woman's face. "Right. Of course. We'll consider your application. Thank you, and good day."
Percy only nodded in reply and turned to leave.
"Ah, welcome home! Hope the real world wasn't too overwhelming for you, Perce."
"Funny," was Percy's only reply to Ron's quip.
"There's food on the table, Percy!" he heard Molly shout from upstairs.
Percy decided to leave it. In that moment, there was only one thing he wanted to do. He exited the house and walked up a small path to a run-down wooden shed with a large door. The door was open, revealing Percy's father, Arthur, at a work table tinkering with some muggle gadgets. His hands and face were smeared with oil and grease. A smile broke out on his face when he saw Percy waiting at the entrance.
"Come in! How'd it go today?" Arthur asked.
"It was all right. The Ministry is really crowded," Percy answered.
Ever since he had moved back in the Burrow, Percy enjoyed spending time and talking with his dad. When he was younger, he used to think his father was too weak-willed and not ambitious enough. He never looked up to him. Now, in the past few months, Percy realized he had been very wrong. Arthur was hardworking, goodnatured, and fair. A work ethic similar to Percy's.
"I'm glad you've decided to get back to work," Arthur said proudly. "I was always so proud of how hardworking you are."
Percy didn't say anything.
"We always loved you, Percy," Arthur said quietly, placing a hand on Percy's shoulder. "Please know that."
"I know," Percy said. "I just feel like a fool for losing all that time with Fred. It's what's been keeping me back from getting back to normal. What if my old habits come back?"
"Percy, you are my son. And you are so, so bright. I could never imagine that happening," Arthur encouraged. "Don't let this guilt you and prevent you from living your life. You know Fred wouldn't have wanted that."
"Yeah, of course, I do," Percy replied. "It's just hard to remember sometimes."
Arthur smiled at his son. "Well, you're doing fine so far."
"Thanks, Dad," Percy said, smiling back. "Well, I'm going out again. Thought I'd meet up with Oliver. It's been a while since we last talked."
Upon simply entering the Puddlemere quidditch pitch, Percy felt his stomach somersault a few times.
There was something about flying on a broom that just did not make Percy feel at ease. He had never been able to take a good grasp of quidditch, like his brothers and sister, mostly because the teetering feeling of sitting on a broomstick drove him crazy.
Honestly, they should at least have cushions, or something.
"Percy!"
Percy looked up and searched for the source of the voice calling his name. He saw Oliver making his way up the stands to join him, with a water bottle in one hand and a broomstick in the other. It was a wonder the two of them had ever gotten along, considering that they were so starkly different. And yet, they had both been supporting each others' dreams since first year, right up until Percy started to lose sight of the important things in life.
"You know, it's a funny thing," Oliver started, a bit out of breath, "I ran into another former Hogwarts student today."
"Really? What a coincidence."
"Yeah, she looked even more frazzled than you do," Oliver added with a laugh. He gave Percy a strong pat on the back. "Loosen up, mate. It's really noticeable."
"Well, it's not like I'm not trying to," Percy grumbled. Perhaps the grumbling wasn't really helping his cause.
"Then don't try so hard. Maybe you need to take a short flight. That always helps."
"Please, Oliver," Percy said, almost laughing. "You know better than anyone that I can't stay on a broom for more than five seconds straight."
"Funny. You're the second person to tell me that today."
"You know, it's not an uncommon sentiment," Percy said. "Not everyone has the stomach for balancing their bottom on a flimsy piece of wood."
"Yeah, well, not everyone has the stomach for sitting around doing paperwork all day," Oliver shot back.
"Fair enough."
"I'm glad you sent an owl, Percy," Oliver said, changing the subject. "It's been hectic these past few months, trying to figure out who's fine and who's not. You know, just yesterday, one of our players that was thought to be dead walked into the locker room! He had been chased by Death Eaters all over the Great Britain for the entire summer."
"It's as if the whole ordeal only ended yesterday," Percy said in agreement. "The Ministry is overflowing every day with people. I don't think the Wizengamot's ever been this busy."
"It makes you wonder, doesn't it?" Oliver asked.
"How long it's going to take to piece everything back together?"
"Well, yes. But mostly, how much a few idiots can damage an entire world," Oliver said gloomily. "And to think that they didn't even get their way."
"Right, you are," Percy muttered. "I guess we all do our part."
Oliver smiled. "All right, enough with the gloomy talk! Let's go get some butterbeers."
So, Percy and Audrey have officially met, but they don't seem all too impressed with each other...
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