Percy stepped into Madam Bones' office. All eyes turned to him and he fought away the reaction to fidget. He kept his shoulders straight, making sure he was standing at his full height.

"Who're you?" one of the men asked, a thick French accent denoting where he was from. His deep blue robes had the emblem of the French Ministry of Magic, or the Ministry of Magical Affairs of France if a person was being picky.

"Mr. Weasley," Madam Bones greeted, "please meet Monsieur Allard from the International Magical Affairs Coordination Office in Paris. M. Allard, this is Mr. Percy Weasley from the Department of International Cooperation."

"I thought Mr. Crouch was the Head of that department," M. Allard said, looking unimpressed with Percy.

"Mr. Crouch has unfortunately been out sick," Madam Bones answered, "Mr. Weasley is his assistant and more than capable of sitting in this meeting and ensuring what we need done gets done."

"He looks like a child!"

"I am eighteen," Percy admitted. "But I have intern—" he was cut off by the door to the office opening again. He hurried to get out of the way as Lord Weasley swept into the room followed by another man in black.

"Ah, are we all gathered?" Lord Weasley questioned as he settled in a chair without waiting for an invitation. "M. Allard it's good to see you again." His eyes fell on Percy.

"Are you here instead of Crouch?" the lord asked.

"I am."

"Good. At least you've got a head on your shoulders. Mr. Tamm, this is Mr. Percy Weasley, the assistant to Barty Crouch. Mr. Weasley, this is Mr. Tamm who has been selected by the Eastern bloc countries of the ICW to represent themselves in this meeting."

"I am concerned that Mr. Weasley here is too young to truly help us," M. Allard said. Lord Weasley waved off his concerns.

"Mr. Weasley has interned, quite successfully, at ICW under the Supreme Mugwump," Lord Weasley said. "With distinction amongst the interns I might add."

Percy tried not to puff out his chest.

"Mr. Weasley will no doubt have a better grasp on things than even Mr. Crouch," Lord Weasley continued. "So let us begin, shall we?" He gestured to a seat and Percy, after looking at Madam Bones as it was her office they were in and receiving a nod, sat down, settling his files on the table they were sat around.

"We cannot begin," M. Allard argued, and Percy wondered if he was just here to argue. "Headmaster Dumbledore has not yet arrived." Lord Weasley looked like he cared nothing for the headmaster, which was probably true, if Percy remembered his grandmother's words from last summer accurately.

As if hearing his name, the door opened, and Headmaster Dumbledore swept in, his bright lavender and blue robes nearly blinding against the dark neutrals of Madam Bones' office and the robes of the other occupants. Only M. Allard wore a color that was not gray or black.

"Good afternoon," Dumbledore greeted cheerily, sitting at the other end of the table, opposite Madam Bones. "It is wonderful to see you, Percy. How are things?"

"Now is not the time to catch up," Lord Weasley said. "We are all very busy. I am sure you will want to return to the castle as soon as you can seeing as in less than three days you will be having students gracing your presence again."

Dumbledore nodded in his direction.

"We in the East are concerned for the safety of our delegation," Mr. Tamm said, opening the discussion. "Headmaster Karkaroff has already given the Academic Board the list of students and professors who will be going to Hogwarts. He desires Durmstrang to do well and has included two high profile students. The Tsarevich of Bulgaria and Viktor Krum. I believe he hopes Krum will be chosen as champion."

Mr. Tamm turned sharp eyes at Dumbledore.

"We want assurance that security at Hogwarts will keep our students safe from threats outside and inside the walls of the school."

"I can assure you, Mr. Tamm, that Hogwarts to extremely secure," Dumbledore said.

"How can you assure me?" Mr. Tamm asked.

"Indeed," Madam Bones said, "did not Sirius Black break in twice? Did not an unregistered animagus stay in the castle for years?"

"The Eastern bloc countries of ICW want to have aurors present," Mr. Tamm continued. "Undercover, of course. It was clear to the Bulgarian royal family during the World Cup that majority of British wixen would not recognize the Tsarevich, but we also know that he made friendly with Harry Potter—,"

"Pardon?" Dumbledore questioned. "Mr. Potter has met the Bulgarian royal family?"

"At the World Cup," Percy piped up, "my family Lord Black were in the Top Box. Harry ended up spending some hours with the Tsarevich and his friends before the Death Eaters showed up."

"Yes," Mr. Tamm continued, "the disaster of the World Cup is one reason why the Eastern bloc want additional support within Hogwarts. With so many people in and out for the tournament, it is just common sense."

"I am hesitant to have such a show of force within Hogwarts," Dumbledore said. "Especially from countries who continue to back Durmstrang's refusal to bend to ICW decree and allow Muggleborns within its student body."

"The aurors would not be in uniform," Mr. Tamm argued. "The tsar and tsarina already plan to have two royal guards in the delegation who will appear like professors."

"As the official ICW representative at this meeting," Lord Weasley interrupted, "I don't see why we could not send some plain clothes aurors from the ICW Enforcement Corp."

"Again, I'm certain that is not nec—,"

"That is an excellent proposal, Lord Weasley," M. Allard said, cutting off Dumbledore. Percy pulled out a clean sheet of parchment and began making a list of the paperwork that would be required on Britain's side to get this cleared.

"Will Britain offer up any of their own aurors?" M. Allard continued, glancing at Madam Bones.

"We will," Madam Bones answered. "The plan at the moment is to have a presence at each of the three tasks as well as the week preceding. The tasks are not open to the public, but families of the champions, the press, and government officials will have access to Hogwarts at that time."

"Ah, yes, the press," M. Allard said. "The Daily Prophet truly knows how to . . . present things."

Percy held in a snort.

"Hogwarts will also have an auror on staff this year," Dumbledore continued. "One of the longest serving aurors, Alastair Moody, has recently retired, and has agreed to take up the post at Hogwarts."

"Are you trying to get Moody killed?" Madam Bones quipped.

"I'm certain that Alastair will do just fine," Dumbledore said.

"It will be nice to see Hogwarts have a competent Defense professor," Lord Weasley muttered.

"We had a competent Defense teacher last year," Percy could not help but say, perhaps a bit hotly. "Professor Lupin was the best DADA professor I had in my seven years at Hogwarts, and he could be returning and Auror Moody enjoying his retirement if British prejudice hadn't chased him off!"

Everyone stared at him. Percy realized he had risen to his feet. He hastened to sit back down, face heating up.

"Apologies," he muttered. M. Allard and Mr. Tamm waved off his apology. Dumbledore stared sternly over his spectacles at Percy while Madam Bones coughed into her hand. His grandfather, on the other hand, twisted his mouth into a half-smile that was vaguely approving.

"ICW is still not convinced that resurrecting the Triwizard Tournament is a good idea," Lord Weasley said, finally breaking the silence. "However, as it seems that everyone is on board with the protection of our future generations, my report to ICW will at least be favorable."

"Thank you, Septimus," Dumbledore said with a serene smile. Lord Weasley glanced balefully at the headmaster before rising.

"Mr. Weasley will make sure that all the appropriate paperwork makes it to you," Madam Bones to Mr. Tamm. "There should be no problem."

"That is good to hear," Mr. Tamm drawled, giving Percy an appraising once-over. "Is it possible for to get the papers to me within the next hour so that I can take them with me?"

"Of course," Percy answered. "If you'll come by the Department for International Cooperation, I'll have them ready for you."

Meeting dismissed; Percy hoped that Dumbledore would not linger. Thankfully, the man did not want to linger, and he gave them all a grandfatherly smile before sweeping out, garish robes billowing in his wake.

Percy half wondered how Dumbledore could have ever defeated Grindelwald dressed like that.

"You've been given quite the responsibility," Lord Weasley said as both he and Percy left Madam Bones' office. "Barty's sick I hear?"

"That is what I have been told," Percy answered. "I will be sending along paperwork to him this afternoon, if there is something you wish to send?"

Lord Weasley shook his head.

"Cedrella has been asking after you," Lord Weasley told him. "Be sure to drop her an owl when you can." He raised an eyebrow at Percy. "I have heard that you are dating."

Percy wondered who exactly his grandfather was talking to, but suspected that, as a Lord and as an ICW representative, he most likely had underlings who spied on other people for him. He did feel a little good knowing that his grandfather was, in his own way, taking an interest in the lives of his grandchildren.

"Oliver Wood," Percy told him. "He's the reserve Keeper for Puddlemere United."

"Ah, I see opposites do attract." The man chuckled. "Give your grandmother an owl, if only so that she will stop pestering me. I suspect she will want to meet this . . . Wood. Where are they from?"

"Scotland. Just outside Glasgow."

"Ah, I see. Well, owl your grandmother." Lord Weasley entered a lift, leaving Percy staring after him.

Mr. Tamm picked up the paperwork and complimenting Percy on his prompt work. He asked about Percy's internship at ICW and whether or not Percy ever gave thought about working at ICW. Percy admitted he had but wished to build up some more work experience before applying.

"Having to run a ministry department at eighteen will certainly give you work experience," Mr. Tamm muttered before leaving. It was just as he left that an owl delivered a note. Most unusual, as it was usually paper airplanes or an internal secure post.

Take the letter Percy immediately recognized Barty Crouch's spidery scrawl. It was a short note with a list of items that Mr. Crouch wanted personally delivered to his house. The note also came with apparition coordinates and directions.

At the end of the workday Percy left the ministry and found a deserted alleyway in London to Apparate.

Percy appeared in the countryside on the edge of a little town. He spotted a Muggle road sign saying WELCOME TO SYMONDS YAT. Following the directions from Mr. Crouch, Percy walked about fifty yards past the sign to a dirt driveway. He felt the tingle of typical house wards to ward off Muggles as he walked up the drive. The Burrow had the same wards, he thought as he enjoyed the beautiful countryside he could see. The River Wye curved gently at the bottom of the hill he was waling along and birds flew overhead.

It was a thoroughly pleasant place.

A part of him wondered if Oliver would mind moving out to the country. The Woods lived in a very populated wizarding suburb of Glasgow and Oliver had taken an apartment in Bournemouth to be close to Puddlemere United's pitch, but Percy had always fancied the country. Too many people in the city. It was a nice place to work and visit, but he liked lazy afternoons and evenings in places he could see the stars and have fresh air. He did not think he would settle in Ottery St. Catchpole, but perhaps nearby. Cornwall for example had very nice wizarding villages, even mixed villages like Ottery St. Catchpole or Godric's Hollow. He liked the idea of living near the sea, the visit to the Woods' beach cottage had shown him how wonderful it could be, but he also had thought about Glastonbury or Salisbury to be closer to magically powerful sites.

His mother and father might not celebrate the Old Ways, but he had always been fascinated by them. He knew he was not the only Weasley child to be fascinated by it. Last year's Samhain bonfire had been brilliant! Prudence and Marcus had shown him some minor rituals for the spring equinox of Ostara as they called it. And he knew, like all wixen did regardless of religious practice, how significant Glastonbury and Salisbury was.

Approaching a modest house, Percy took a moment to admire the stonework. It was clearly a Georgian style brick home, very well kept with neatly maintained grounds. The front door was white and covered by a small gabled arbor. There were three floors, the third only noticeable due to the two sets of dormer windows sticking out of the hipped roof. The windows were white to match the door which made the symmetry so notably in the Georgian homes stand out. Ivy clung to the brickwork, small flowers blooming along the vines. He half expected fairies to be peaking out of the flowers.

The front door opened immediately when he stepped up to it, a house elf in a purple pillowcase bowing to him as he entered. He vaguely recognized her as the house elf that had been in the top box, saving a seat for Barty Crouch who never even showed up for the game! In fact, Percy remembered a bit grumpily, he had not seen the man at the game until the aftermath of the Death Eater attack. Raid. Whatever it was people were calling it now.

"I is Winky, Master Wizard," the little creature greeted. "Who is you?"

"Percy Weasley," Percy answered, gazing around the foyer. On either side of him the wall opened to reveal another room. On his left was the parlor and on his right the dining room. The inside was certainly a bit more ostentatious than he expected, but he knew that many wizards who live near Muggles tried to keep their houses a little more inconspicuous compared to the Weasleys with their multi-leveled Burrow, the Lovegoods with their rook shaped home, and even the Diggorys with their large manor house.

"Step into the parlor, I is fetching Master Crouch."

Percy stepped into the parlor, feeling like he was stepping into a museum. Could a room meant for gatherings truly feel less used? There were no personal photos on the walls, not even a family portrait. The paintings were all landscapes. The furniture was the same medium toned wood as the floor and a small white marble fireplace was set into the wall.

"Mr. Weasley," Crouch greeted, sweeping into the room. Percy spun about, thankfully keeping hold of the papers he was holding. Crouch swept a hand through his hair, flattening it back down. Percy tried not to stare at the state of the man. Granted, he had only seen Crouch in work attire at the Ministry, but it was jarring to see the man in such plain clothes. He was not even wearing a robe, just shirt and trousers!

"I . . . er . . . have the papers here you wanted," Percy said. Crouch took the papers from him and leafed through the stack. Percy fidgeted slightly as he waited for the man to say something. But the silence continued. It was almost as if Crouch was intent on ignoring him or had already forgotten that he was there.

"This is excellent work, Mr. Weasley," Crouch said, settling down at a small table. "Winky!" The house elf popped up beside her master. "A quill and ink."

Winky was gone and back in mere seconds, handing the ink bottle and eagle feather to Crouch without a word before disappearing again. Crouch began to scratch his signature on the required papers.

"Most excellent work," Crouch murmured again.

"Thank you, sir," Percy said.

"I am glad I took Dumbledore's advice to take you on."

Percy's stomach twisted and he furrowed his eyebrows. He had not asked Dumbledore to be a reference for him when he had applied at the ministry.

"Dumbledore gave you a reference?" Percy asked.

"I went to him personally," Crouch answered. "I always speak to Dumbledore when Hogwarts students want to work in my department. As it was, you were Head Boy and yet the headmaster was not on your list of references. I wanted to know what the headmaster had to say."

Percy felt sick as Crouch finally looked up at him.

"Dumbledore assured me that you were a quick learner and could be very enthusiastic."

Merlin! He felt sick.

"Is that all you have for me today, Mr. Crouch?" Percy managed to ask, his voice barely staying steady. Crouch smirked, leaning back in his chair. Percy was forced to step closer to scoop up the papers. He was close enough to smell the man's cologne.

"You should stay for a drink," Mr. Crouch said.

Percy froze, glancing at his boss. He knew he was now treading on something dangerous. He needed to get out of the house.

"I . . . I've got a date tonight," he stammered. "With my boyfriend."

"Ah, yes, a Mr. Oliver Wood, is it? Dumbledore mentioned something about him."

Percy pressed the papers to his chest.

"Some other time then?" Crouch waved Percy away with a dismissively gesture and Percy turned tail and fled, the white door banging shut behind him as he all but ran down the drive back to the apparition point.