Autumn 1991

Percy Weasley

Percy hesitated at the foot of the staircase and took a moment to straighten his prefect's badge. Even in the dimly cast light, it had a small gleam that filled him with pride. Enough pride, that he managed to push back his very few reservations and swallow a few mouthfuls of air before pushing himself forward and up the stairs.

He had imagined that the first time he would be called to the Headmaster's office, as a prefect, would be a cause for some celebration. Surely, getting recognized by Albus Dumbledore would be an amazing boost to his career goals. The only other person in the entirety of Great Britain who had as much standing as Dumbledore was the Minister himself. Of course, there were other powerful figures, Percy knew that, but he was sure their words meant nothing when compared to Dumbledore or Minister Fudge. So, while he knew the meeting was technically because his Great-Aunt wanted to see him, which he found quite peculiar, the real prize was going to be a few moments in the close company of the Headmaster.

Percy took the last few steps into the office with a carefully practised gait. He tried to carry himself in a way that spoke of not only confidence and pride but also of power and respectability. Whether it made an impression or not, he couldn't really tell. Although, he had once been complimented on his posture by Penny, and that was enough for him to keep his head held high.

The headmaster offered him a polite smile as he entered the office and Percy felt his chest swell with the thought that he might someday be head boy.

From one of the small chairs that were placed in front of Dumbledore's desk, Muriel turned around and narrowed her eyes as he approached. It had been a while since he had seen her, and he was almost surprised by how well she looked.

"Percy," Aunt Muriel greeted him, her voice was kind but it hid a hint of distaste. "I am glad to see that your hair is not nearly as horrible as your brother's."

Ron? Well, she should see Fred's hair.

"Good afternoon, Great-Aunt Muriel," Percy said, his tone polite and formal as he neatly took the seat beside her.

Dumbledore offered him another warm smile. "I suspect your brother may have mentioned it, but your Great-Aunt specifically asked for you. And, well, I've always had a particular fondness for family reunions, as you know."

"Of course, Headmaster," Percy replied promptly. "I always make time for family," he added, hoping to win favour with Dumbledore.

"Enough of this," Muriel interrupted, shaking her head slightly. "You two can discuss what a wonderful time this was after I've left. If I let you continue, and I apologise for my abruptness, I might just die right here in this chair."

"Apologies, Aunt Muriel, you wished to see me?" Percy asked.

"No," she said bluntly. "I came to see your brother, Ronald. I wanted to see what he was made of and determine just why the boy was placed into Slytherin."

Percy felt his smile slip, he didn't like the idea that people were interviewing Ron. It was as if they were trying to find something wrong with him, and Percy was sure there wasn't.

"Well? I'm sure you have thoughts. Why was your brother placed into Slytherin? And don't just tell me you have no idea. You must know something about your brother."

"There's nothing wrong with him," Percy matched her bluntness, hoping the headmaster would forgive him for doing so. "He's just not a Gryffindor."

Aunt Muriel leaned further back in her chair and gave him a toothy smile. "No, you are quite right, there doesn't seem to be anything wrong with him. Finally, another one of you Weasley children who don't go around dragging my blood through mud and eventual poverty. I think, yes, that Ronald will turn out quite well. Molly has done something different with him, and it certainly shows. So, what about you Percy? Your brother speaks highly of you, and says that you're not likely to be a disappointment."

"No one is truly a disappointment," Dumbledore interjected gently. "They are merely living up to expectations that are not your own."

Aunt Muriel gave the headmaster a slightly offended look. "Yes, well my expectations just happen to be the ones that make the wizarding world a good place to live in. Rather than breeding like rabbits."

Percy frowned fully. He knew his parents probably had more children than they could afford, but surely there was a better way to bridge the topic.

She turned back to look at Percy. "So, tell me, Percy, what are your aspirations?"

Percy stole a quick glance at the headmaster. "I want to be Minister of Magic," he said truthfully. "I mean, I'll start somewhere else of course, in the Ministry, and then work my way up until it's time."

"What department?"

"Magical Cooperation," he said more unsurely. "Or maybe the office for the improper use of magic."

"You are certainly not your father," Muriel replied as if it was a compliment. "Don't get trapped in some useless muggle office, and certainly don't join the department of mysteries. I don't know how they get chosen, but they all are rather creepy and give me strange looks when I'm about."

"I find that mysteries have a habit of making one look strangely," Dumbledore added.

"Is there anything else you'd like to know?" Percy asked. He would have liked to steal some time alone with the headmaster before he left. He had come up with a number of new rules for the school that he was sure would improve efficiency. Yet, he found that those rules could wait if it meant avoiding whatever rude thing his aunt was destined to say next.

"I seem to recall that you were also a hat stall, were you not?" She asked.

Percy tensed his shoulders. "I was," he said softly.

"Tell me, what was the other house, Percy? Gryffindor is fine enough, most of them are good people. I believe that the founders did a good job of categorising the youth based on how they will be as adults. I feel your brother, Ronald, will be as ruthless as he will be brave."

Percy cleared his throat slightly and stole another glance at Dumbledore. "Slytherin."

Great-Aunt Muriel smiled wider. "Oh, yes. I see now what your brother meant. He told me, Percy, that you were partially the reason he became a Slytherin. You must have given him a great deal of ambition and support, which is what brothers should rightly do. You're almost as ambitious as he is, yes?"

Percy nodded slowly. He found it hard to deny that he was ambitious, he had been planning the rest of his life since before he even started Hogwarts. Even so, it came as a slight shock to him that Ron thought Percy had something to do with Ron's sorting. It was eerily similar to something the twins had told him.

"Minister Fudge," Muriel said, "was not a very wealthy man when he became Minister for Magic. He had to finance his campaign through donations from other powerful witches and wizards. Owing them favours and other tasteless things." She shot a glare towards Dumbledore. "And I believe he still owes those favours today."

Dumbledore nodded thoughtfully. "The Minister, as you say, does indeed keep powerful company. As for the number of Galleons that he collects, well, that is a matter I cannot claim to know with certainty."

The minister accepts bribes!?Percy couldn't believe the claim. There was no way that the government would let the Minster work on behalf of powerful people.

"So, if you wish to be Minister for Magic, Percy. I mean, a Minister who is not beholden to the wishes of other wizards, you must have Galleons before you start your campaign. Galleons which you will not make as a Ministry employee unless you intend to live with your parents forever," Muriel continued. "I believe that Ronald was right. You are among your two other brothers in being worthy of the Prewett estates. I will have a portion of my property set aside for you when I pass, but I will warn you that it is not enough to be Minister. For that, you must do something else."

"Something else?" Percy asked slowly.

"Yes, after you leave Hogwarts, do not jump into the Ministry so willingly. Give yourself time to build a life and then from there you can look to become Minister for Magic. The Prewett businesses are in various states of ill repair, I am far too old to maintain them, but they have the bones required to return to their former extents. After you are finished at Hogwarts, you may take to rebuilding them. In exchange, I will leave them to you when I pass. It will be hard work, work that you likely haven't done before, but it should be enough for you to build a war chest for competing in politics. It will also mean that our family is not so forgotten when I eventually leave this world and what we have currently is squandered away by your mother."

"Running the Prewett businesses?" Percy repeated with a hint of hesitation. He had never considered any path besides the Ministry, it was what he always wanted. Although he knew that the Prewetts were an old name, much like the Weasleys, he didn't know much about how much money his aunt or her businesses still held.

Muriel offered a knowing smirk. "The Ministry will always be there, Percy. It will call to you after you've established yourself in British proper society. Joining the Ministry alone will only go so far, it won't put you immediately on a path to power. Real influence is bought in the countryside and carried into the Ministry by those outside it."

Muriel's words rang familiarly in Percy's mind. It brought him back to his conversation with Ron about working together to make the wizarding world a better place. Ron had mentioned that he thought wealth was far more important than what their father did at the Ministry, and in some regards, Percy was inclined to agree. He frowned slightly, suddenly doubting what he was meant to do. He wanted to be Minister for Magic, it's all he ever wanted, but the path in front of him had suddenly become very muddy.

"And," Muriel added, her gaze sharp, "if you choose to join the Ministry, you'll be just a boy with aspirations. Rebuilding our family legacy would certainly set you apart. It would give you something that others don't have."

"I… I appreciate the offer," Percy said carefully. He took a moment to glance at Dumbledore, who seemed to be in deep thought. "It's a lot to consider. I've spent so long, my whole life, preparing for a single path. It's difficult to imagine another…" he trailed off. "I don't want to dismiss the opportunity, I mean, not outright. I'd like to think about it."

Aunt Muriel smiled and her eyes seemed to radiate satisfaction. "You may take a year, but opportunities do not last forever, Percy. I will still attempt to win your brother William back from the Goblins."

Percy nodded. He didn't bother to mention that Bill would never agree to do much of anything else. He knew his brother was born to be a curse breaker much in the way he wanted to be Minister.

The headmaster cleared his throat and spoke softly. ""Ah, the paths before us are often many, and their destinations are rarely certain. It's true that some may lead to the same place, while others take us somewhere quite unexpected."

Aunt Muriel shot Percy another sharp look. "Also, Percy, make sure your brother Ronald gets a decent haircut. I'm not sure what Molly is doing to you children, but that boy is a few months away from looking like a werewolf."

Percy gave her another short nod. He had no intention of bringing up Ron's hair, but he didn't think Great-Aunt Muriel would appreciate him saying so.

The old witch tore herself out of the chair. "Well, I can not bother to stay in this place much longer. Please get in contact with me should you accept my proposition."

She crossed to the otherside of the headmaster's office and stepped into the large brass fireplace. Muriel reached into her robe's pocket and threw a handful of green powder at her feet. She muttered a destination that Percy couldn't quite make out.

Dumbledore pushed forward a glass bowl that sat on the corner of his desk. "Sherbet lemon?"

"No thank you, sir." Percy said politely. He was aware that this was the moment he was hoping for but he could hardly get his thoughts in order.

"If I may, Percy, I would like to ask you a few questions." Dumbledore ventured.

Percy nodded his agreement, his mind too busy to think of a conversation topic of his own.

"How is your brother Ronald faring in Slytherin?"

"He's… managing, I suppose. He's had some trouble, the twins don't like that he's there. I think they're just surprised that they don't know him as well as they thought." Percy answered. "He mentioned drama in the house, and that he was afraid to get wrapped up in it."

"Oh, indeed," Dumbledore smiled. "Slytherin's social dynamics can be rather intricate, as I understand. However, I have observed that Ronald has formed some friendships, which I believe is a rather promising development. It is always my duty, as Headmaster, to ensure that students do not find themselves lost here."

"I'm glad to hear that, Headmaster," Percy said. I'm doing everything I can to support him, especially with our family. But I worry about him."

"It is only natural to harbour concerns for our siblings," Dumbledore said in a slightly saddened tone. "Even I find myself worrying about mine from time to time."

"You have siblings?" Percy asked.

"Oh, indeed. A brother and a sister… but I think that's a story for another time." Dumbledore reached forward into the bowl and took one of the sherbet lemons. He popped into his mouth with an audible suction noise. "Understand, Percy, that neither of the paths laid in front of you is certain and both are equally valid. Your Great Aunt represents a different time in Britain, but she has a good heart. I assure you, she would never intentionally steer you wrong."

"Can I ask for your advice? About which path I should take?"

"That is a decision that rests solely with you," Dumbledore said gently. "I do wish I could provide more guidance, but it is not for me to say."

Percy understood what Dumbledore meant. He had to decide for himself, it was his life after all. He sighed gently and ran his hand up through his hair. He could feel the weight of the decision pushing down on his chest and he definitely needed more advice. He reached forward and took one of the sherbet lemons, placing it into his mouth far gentler than the Headmaster.I need to know what Penny thinks.