𝕸𝖔𝖓𝖔𝖈𝖍𝖗𝖔𝖒𝖊
Act II - The Warlock of Hogwarts
Chapter 9 - The Shackles of Freedom
Cinnamon Grove.
Standing before the twin doors, Percy Weasley hesitated. He wished to walk away from the manor without a second thought, but his body did not seem to obey his wishes. Every time the thought to walk away crossed his mind, his hidden Gryffindor roared a Weasley did not shy away from confrontations, especially when it dealt with a Lord of an Ancient house and certainly not when said House was ennobled. Not for the first time, Percy wondered if the House of Weasley had some innate instructions built into their blood to behave like foolish individuals when the situation stood against them.
Percy slid a finger over the right breast pocket of his coat to ensure the letter was real and not a figment of his imagination. After an entire month of stay in one of the lower-security wings of Azkaban, which wasn't really as comfortable as one made it out to be, he had gotten a letter handed to him by one guard, saying that he had been bailed out. The letter also contained an engraved invitation, seeking a private meeting with him. He had spent hours poring over the high quality parchment and passed a restless night of sleep before he, with great trepidation, sent a reply with the news that he had accepted. Within a few hours, a huge barn owl had swooped through his window, delivering an engraved invitation, enchanted into a portkey to take him to the location upon saying the pass phrase.
Seeing the House Crest on the letter made everything fall into place. Of course, that man would want to talk to him. No doubt he was behind his sudden bail-out, and the reason wasn't hard to figure out. Then again, it was equally possible that he just wanted to kill him horribly.
That brought him to the present. Staring at the large door knockers, Percy took a deep breath and called on the courage which placed him in the House of Lions. He rapped the knocker twice and was not surprised to hear a metallic tong.
One of the twin doors opened inward without a sound, revealing a large entrance hall with an ornate staircase and brightly lit by the late morning sun.
Percy frowned at the lack of a presence at the door before flinching in surprise at a voice greeting him at knee level and quickly shifted his gaze downwards.
A house-elf dressed in a well-maintained sunshine yellow toga embroidered with the House crest greeted him with a cool smile. "Mr. Percival Weasley, be welcome to Cinnamon Grove. Fiana is to be at your service during your stay."
Huh. Chances were that this was still a murder attempt, but it was at least a formal one. That was familiar ground.
"Thank you," he said, swallowing his anxiety as he greeted the elf. Being polite never hurt anyone, his father often said. How unfortunate that it took a month-long Azkaban trip for him to get it articulated.
"Please come in, Sir." The house-elf gestured towards the entrance hall, and Percy walked in with wary eyes passing over every single corner of the room and adjoining parlour, doors and hallways leading further into the large manor.
"Your coat, sir." The house-elf popped away with Percy's overcoat and reappeared two seconds later without the garment.
"Follow me, sir." The female house-elf led him through the hall to the connecting parlour and directed him towards the furniture seating surrounding a large glass coffee table. "Please take a seat, sir. I shall inform my Lord that you have arrived."
Occupying one armchair, Percy took stock of his surroundings and relaxed minutely. Floor to ceiling windows allowed a wide view of the vast grounds surrounding the manor even as mosaics, fairies, dragons, nymphs and other fantastic beasts drifted through the glass panels. Few of the nymphs and mermaids waved in his direction with a smile, even a dragon belched blue flames which seemed to escape the glass into the real world.
The walls were painted a warm shade of green that resembled freshly cut grass. A large painting of a sailing ship—Percy surmised it resembled a fifteenth century merchant vessel—hung above the mantle of the fireplace and the light sconces around the room resembled occamy with their wings in flight.
The thought of this meeting had both unnerved and exhilarated him for days though the pleasant atmosphere of the room did wonders for his state of mind which he guessed must have been the purpose of said decoration and style, a factor he never would have noticed if not for the Triwizard Tournament. Thanks to Crouch Senior's sickness, Percy had spent an entire year running the Department of International Magical Cooperation. He had thought his stellar performance had made Minister Fudge elevate him to the Junior Under Secretary position, a promotion that had only increased his knowledge of British politics and the traditions and rules one must follow and individual or groups one must patronise to increase one's stature — knowledge he had put to good use.
His biggest regret was that his family did not seem to understand the duties and responsibilities on his shoulders. The Weasleys were an Ancient House, no matter their current status. Percy had thought his efforts would go a long way to restore the House of Weasley to a position of respect. Instead, it had alienated his family. His father, in particular, seemed to take his actions as insults and wanted Percy to return to a house mired in disrespect and swollen with self-importance. His family were fools for believing that a name did not matter. If only his father would abandon his ridiculous and incompetent curiosity of muggles…
"Ah, Mister Weasley."
Percy turned his head so fast that he felt the whiplash sharply. A second later, he noticed the source of his voice standing near the entrance of the parlour. Joshua Greengrass, and much to Percy's growing dismay, Sirius Black.
Maybe he really should've written out his last will and testament before coming here.
"Regent Greengrass." Percy stood up immediately. "I thank you for inviting me into your home as a guest. And… my apologies, Lord Black. I didn't expect to meet you here."
There. That was his safest move. Ancient Houses stressed way too much on the proprieties of Guest and Host. he only hoped that after the formal invitation, Joshua Greengrass would comply with those at the very least.
Greengrass smiled, a gesture Percy found to be quite disarming. "Do not fret, Mister Weasley. I assure you that you are no immediate peril."
Yeah. He'd really like that. "My — erm, apologies, Regent Greengrass. I've just had an awful month, so I'm not at my best."
Greengrass and Black looked at each other and grinned, before they walked up to him and sat down, Greengrass on the opposite couch, while Black sat on the adjacent one next to Percy. Almost instinctively, Percy edged away.
It made Black smile.
Damn it. Percy confronted himself. Stop behaving like prey.
"I noticed you were staring intensely at the sconces placed around the room," said Greengrass.
Percy inwardly thanked him for saving him from the growing awkwardness. He nodded with a minute shake of his head. "It was unusual, but elegant. Mister Crouch was fond of scones too, but I've never seen this kind before."
"My wife loved them," The man said with an air of nostalgia. "She believed the design would be a nice tribute to the creatures which are part." Then, with the air of a man who had forgotten an important matter, Greengrass said, "Dear me. I seem to have forgotten my manners. Kenny." He spoke aloud. "Tea and refreshments, please."
Percy watched as another house-elf dressed as the first elf appeared in the room and snapped its fingers. A silver kettle, glass cups, a cup of sugar and a rack of cupcakes of biscuits appeared on the coffee table before the elf Kenny gave a swift bow to Greengrass and popped away.
Greengrass gestured towards the kettle of warm tea and snacks. "Please help yourself."
Emulating Greengrass, Percy took a cup of warm tea with a cube of sugar. Sirius Black just kept watching him. A few moments of small talk passed between the men before Greengrass placed his cup on the table. "I am sure you are wondering about the reason for this social call."
Percy assumed his best poker face — an expression of confusion mixed with the look of an employee afraid of yet eager to please his superior. It had worked wonders with Ministry workers, especially Fudge and Umbridge, and allowed his meetings with foreign diplomats to benefit him, as they constantly underestimated him. "The thought crossed my mind, yes."
Greengrass smiled, and Percy knew the man had seen through his tactic. "As I'm sure you know, House Black and House Greengrass are in official alliance with each other, as is House Potter, and a few others. An alliance that provides my House some clout at the Wizengamot."
Some clout indeed… Percy frowned. He had no delusions that the two men sitting before him were political juggernauts. Ever since the trial that added Harry Potter as a member of the Greengrass family, followed by the quick ascension of House Potter to nobility, it had become a coalition of three Noble Houses standing together, with Houses Bones, Longbottom and Burke joining in, among other names. The only negative to this was the breakdown of the Greengrass-Selwyn alliance, with the latter joining ranks with the newly formed Malfoy-Selwyn faction, representing the extremist pureblood bloc at the Wizengamot. Even Azkaban inmates were allowed a Daily Prophet subscription, something he was glad for. The ever-sinking feeling of depression would've rendered him cuckoo otherwise.
But there was no need to tell him that. Showing off the power of a Noble House coalition to intimidate him was like bringing an army to kill a garden rat. Not only was it overkill and utterly unnecessary, it painted a flamboyant image, something that just didn't fit in well with Joshua Greengrass.
Then… why?
Realising Greengrass was waiting for a response, Percy nodded. "I am aware of it, but… I'm wondering what that has got to do with—"
"We know you're innocent," said Sirius Black out of nowhere.
Percy almost choked at the sudden statement. Partly because of the speaker in question, and partly because of the sheer bluntness with which it was delivered. The newest revelation promised that he wouldn't be horribly killed, but it didn't mean he was out of trouble. Especially with how acerbic he had been about Potter during the trial.
Still… if they knew he was innocent, then all of this was a test. An audition, perhaps? Whatever it was they were after, they wanted him to contribute to it. That or they wanted to see if he could contribute to it and prove his worth. After his stunt with Azkaban, getting a Ministry job was out of the question.
What we want to know," asked the man," is why you took the blame on yourself."
"From what I remember, Regent Greengrass, you declared me as the guilty party."
"I did," said the man, "and I also offered Minister Fudge to offer a veritaserum questioning. There was a way out, if you chose to take it."
"I…" began Percy after a pause. His voice quivered just a little. "I had no choice."
Sirius Black narrowed his eyes. "Explain."
Percy swallowed. "Regent Greengrass had it right. Minister Fudge had offered me the promotion to Under Secretary just weeks before the Third Task. As his Secretary, I was allowed to sign letters on his behalf. And yes, I signed those memos, but believe me, I did not know what it was for. I mean, it's well-known that Mr. Diggory is a stickler for rules, and maybe it was causing inconvenience for the Department of Transportation. I thought Minister Fudge was offering the rewards to… well, grease the wheels a bit. He does that from time to time."
Black's eyes shifted to him, and his head tilted slightly.
"Why didn't you say that at the trial?"
Percy suddenly remembered that Black had rejoined the Hit-wizard service and had been promoted to Hit-Wizard Captain, answering directly to Amelia Bones, the DMLE Director. Unlike Aurors, Hit-wizards cursed first and asked questions later. They were not bothered with investigating crimes or other standard Ministry protocol and were only brought in to capture or kill dangerous criminals. And Black's history at Hit-Wizard Captaincy was already a legend. There had been an entire column citing his achievements during the summer after the Ministry declared him a free man.
"What good would that do?" Percy asked. "It wasn't like Minister Fudge would allow it. And even if he did, there is always the confounding charm. After all, if someone could confound a Triwizard Champion into casting an unforgivable, and kidnap Harry Potter, what's stopping them from doing the same to me? I am, after all… just another paper-pusher."
He really hoped his words didn't sound as bitter out loud as they did in his head.
"And then… it'd be my word against the Minister. You cannot force the Minister to a veritaserum questioning without a two-thirds majority support. It'd yield nothing but turn me into a public enemy. At least this way, I am still free, and can try to get a job in private. If nothing else, I have some contacts in Australia to start over."
"And because of that," Black growled, "Fudge got away scot-free."
"Excuse me for saving my arse," Percy shot back. "And if you were really so confident, perhaps you should've raised a vote of no-confidence against the Minister right then."
"Don't think I've forgotten your words about my godson."
"And what of it?" Percy demanded heatedly. Yes, he had lost everything and yes, he had sided with the wrong side, and bloody hell yes, he knew he was at the mercy of these two men that had bailed him, but that didn't mean he was going to be their sock puppet. Especially with Harry Potter in the picture.
"Harry Potter has brought nothing but misery to my family. Ron was nearly paralyzed because he joined the Boy-Who-Lived on his adventures. My little sister was possessed and nearly killed. And unless you've forgotten, you yourself broke Ron's leg in his third year. And now this travesty! Every single year, Harry bloody Potter gets his nose into places where it doesn't belong and drags my family with it. So yes, forgive me for not bending backwards in awe of your fucking godson!"
"You uppity little—" Sirius began, standing up.
"Sirius," Greengrass grabbed his arm, causing the man to freeze and sit back down. He then turned to Percy. "My apologies. Lord Black is… a little sensitive about Mr. Potter. That said, Mr. Weasley, I have taken an active interest in Mr. Potter's upbringing and his adventures, and I believe your perception is a little flawed. It was actually young Ronald and Miss Granger that demanded to go with young Harry to the third floor back in his first year, and no, I have proof. I have seen the memories. We both have."
That shut Percy up.
"A diary possessed your sister. That much is true. But it was Lucius Malfoy that put the diary in her cauldron, taking advantage of a fight that your father got in with him at Flourish & Blotts. I will agree about the events of young Harry's third year, but the point is, it is unfair on your part to blame it on him."
Percy grumbled and looked away.
"But let us not digress, Mister Weasley," said Greengrass. "I am sure you know this. I do not care for the Pureblood movement, nor those that oppose them. While war generates excellent profits, if one understands the right ventures to invest in, I understand what we face is nothing but a slow attrition of our culture, economy and nation. Such a situation does not generate any goodwill or profit for my House or my allies."
Percy nodded, trying to gauge the man.
Greengrass suddenly changed tracks. "I am also very fond of patterns, Mister Weasley. Absolutely fascinated by them. I consider myself, all modesty aside, a savant of pattern recognition and deduction. The best patterns are observed when you notice people who break their routines and step out of their moulds."
Percy noticed the man pause for a moment before his voice took a nonchalance he knew was fake.
"Take this, for example. A student from a progressive pureblood family rises to the position of Prefect and then Head Boy. Upon graduating, he receives a letter of recommendation from Albus Dumbledore himself, and becomes the personal assistant of Bartemious Crouch Sr. and a senior officer of the International Magical Trading Standards Body. Interestingly, he develops an anti-Harry Potter stance out of nowhere, even though he kept friendly relations with him before. And then, fortune strikes him, and he rises to the position of Junior Under Secretary to the Minister of Magic. Interestingly, said individual suddenly shows a public anti-Dumbledore stance. Ring any bells?"
Percy's knuckles turned white from the balling of his fists.
Greengrass smiled at him predatorily. "And then it gets even more interesting. We see this individual visiting a certain inn in Diagon Alley, in the company of a certain someone, every Saturday, without fail."
"And what of it?" Percy snapped, as Greengrass smiled in a manner reminiscent of a predator cornering its prey. He had seen that look plenty of times to recognise it. It was the same look that bint Dolores had every time she succeeded in her petty attempts at revenge against some unsuspecting citizen or Ministry employee. "I… erm, one is free to have lunch with whomever they wish."
"Naturally, naturally," said Greengrass. "And what a lovely couple they make. It's just… this lunch-pal turns out to be the lovely Miss Hestia Jones, member of Albus Dumbledore's infamous Order of the Phoenix."
Percy paled.
"It makes me wonder what the Minister's Undersecretary, one well-known for his anti-Dumbledore stance and Harry Potter hate, is meeting with her."
"I — I — err…"
"Did not know that she was a member?" Greengrass offered. "Possible. Women are hard to gauge, even for the best of men. But then I remember this from 1992, when this individual's sister was possessed by a book, and made to set a basilisk loose in the school, was saved by Harry Potter. Now it turns out that this individual takes pride in his family name, and its status as an Ancient family, including acknowledging services done to it by others."
Percy gritted his teeth so hard he swore several of them cracked.
"I believe Weasley has understood what you want to tell him, Joshua," said Black, his grey eyes observing him like a wolf. "And yes, we know that Albus Dumbledore visited you in Azkaban during your prison time, under the cover of trying to seek the truth behind your actions. You have been working for Albus Dumbledore all this time, have you not?"
Percy felt an icy fear gather around his chest.
"Why… why are you doing this?"
Greengrass frowned at him. "We are doing nothing, Mr. Weasley. We just wish to know if we understand you perfectly, and once we do, we'll ensure that you understand us in return."
"That sounds remarkably like blackmail," Percy countered.
"I'll take that as a compliment," Greengrass smiled.
Percy weighed his chances. There was really nothing he could do at the moment. Yes, he could go to Dumbledore and ask him for help, and maybe the man would even help him, but then what? His family would know about their deal, and it would damage their long-term plans. Sacrifices were necessary for a benefit in the long-term, and surviving a few months in a low-security wing in Azkaban wasn't the most terrible thing. Especially if it kept his family from trouble.
"You present an interesting conundrum for us, Mister Weasley. On one side, you are partly responsible for the criminals getting away. On the other side, you are… how do I put it, fighting the good fight? We understand you can be a potential problem for us, given your history, and an opportunity if used the right way."
They had come full circle. This was why he had gotten the bail.
"What was your deal with Albus Dumbledore?" asked Sirius Black.
Percy took a deep breath and braced himself. There was no point denying it. "I'd give him information from time to time."
"What kind of information?"Greengrass prodded.
"I… really couldn't say."
Greengrass narrowed his eyes. "Oath?"
After a moment of hesitation, he jerked his head in confirmation.
"I see," said Sirius Black, "Your familial dysfunction. Is that also…?"
"Necessary," Percy exhaled. "I knew what the Minister wanted. And I knew that my public actions would make me worth… less in his eyes. But it was necessary, or else he'd have made me keep tabs on my family."
"What about Harry Potter?" asked Greengrass.
"What of him?"
"You were harsh to him during the trial. And do not lie. You were under veritaserum."
Percy scoffed. "I was not lying. Potter is a curse to my family. I… I know it might not be his fault completely, but I wish… I wish my family had not met him that day at King's Cross. Things would've been so much better if Potter was sorted to another House."
"Oh, I totally agree…" Greengrass murmured, while Black scowled at him.
"I admit… I'm interested in what you are going to do now." Greengrass asked, ignoring Percy's outburst.
Jumping off a cliff seems like a reasonable option, Percy thought.
"Mister Weasley?"
Percy sighed. "What do you want from me, Lord Greengrass?"
Greengrass sent him a winning smile. "I would like to hire you."
"… Hire me?" Percy replied weakly.
"Yes," said Greengrass, taking a sip of his tea. "Cornelius Fudge has proven too radical recently to be of any use. With the Dark Lord's return, it is only a matter of time before he's thrown out. Unfortunately, he's intent on digging his own grave, given the recent amendments, which I'm sure you're aware of."
Percy scowled. Who in their right mind would consider Dolores Umbridge as professor-material was beyond him. That woman couldn't be trusted to keep a chicken alive for a week.
"You don't seem surprised by that piece of news," Black noted.
"Why would I?" Percy asked. "Potter is many things, but a liar he is not. And besides, Dumbledore has always believed he was not really gone."
Greengrass took another sip. "I know the Malfoy faction is setting Corban Yaxley and Antonius Selwyn as their ministerial candidate."
"He holds the vote for House Malfoy and is on his way to replace Scrimgeour after his retirement. He has the advantage of being from the Auror background, which will please the Wizengamot, especially if the Dark Lord resurfaces in public. Corban is also a sympathiser, and very well connected with the European nations."
Greengrass beamed. "And the Light faction will choose Amelia Bones as their candidate."
"Which she will deny," said Percy automatically. "Bones is not only the Director, but the backbone of the DMLE. House Bones funds for Hit-wizard equipment, especially with Minister Fudge constantly trying to cut the DMLE budget. They'd have a better chance with Scrimgeour. He's Head Auror and a politician, and Corban Yaxley's direct superior."
"True. True," said Greengrass.
Percy was realising what these men wanted from him. He glanced at Sirius Black. "You are now rising up the DMLE ranks. And I read about how House Black made a large donation to the DMLE fund. And… and if House Bones is in coalition with House Black, Potter and Greengrass then…"
It clicked.
"Merlin! If Scrimgeour becomes Minister, then Amelia Bones can laterally transfer to Head-Auror position, while Lord Black can ascend to DMLE Director. That's what you're aiming for, isn't it?"
Greengrass laughed. "I'm afraid you've barely scratched the surface of my ambitions."
"What is this… job you want me to do?"
Greengrass hummed for a moment, taking another sip. "Despite your other… unflattering traits, we recognize your potential. And I'd like to harness it for us."
"What… kind of job are you talking about?"
Greengrass smiled. "Ordinarily, I'd have you working as my assistant. Unfortunately, my current assistant Penelope Clearwater has an uncomfortable history with you, and I do not want that to impede upon her productivity."
"Then… Mr. Black?"
Sirius Black shook his head. "I'm a Hit-wizard, not a politician. No, the one you will work for is," Percy could have sworn the man smirked as he said his next words, "my godson, Harry Potter."
Percy suppressed a growl. "This is your revenge for my words at the trial, isn't it?"
Black gave him a grin that fooled no one. "I do not know what you're talking about. But as I said, I'm a Hit-Wizard. House Potter holds the proxy for House Black, and has strong connections to House Greengrass, especially with his eldest marrying my godson within a year."
Percy gaped. That he didn't know about. In hindsight, it explained a lot of things, like why Joshua Greengrass had taken such a pro-Potter stance out of nowhere.
"Despite what my godson claims," said Sirius Black, "he will be the fulcrum of the upcoming change. And he needs someone diligent and dependable. We believe you have both traits."
Percy regarded him seriously for a moment, frowning, thinking. "You want me to be Harry Potter's secretary?"
"Yes."
"And you want all the information I have about Fudge and his associates?"
"Yes."
"And if I do this, will you protect my family?"
"That goes without saying, but yes. Will that suffice, Mr. Weasley?"
Percy stood up, feeling a little off-balance, and offered his hand. "Please," he said, offering what he hoped looked like a genuine smile, "call me Percy."
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