June 2006

The fall out of the newspaper article was not as bad as it could have been. A statement detailing Audrey's status as an informed muggle who had been involved in the efforts against the second uprising of Voldemort had put paid to much of the outrage. The details had remained deliberately vague with the backing of the Minister's office to protect all parties involved. Or so it had been declared. It was a delightful bit of obfuscation that had Percy's wholehearted support. Some of his friends had been more than happy to go on record stating that Audrey had been integral but were unable to elaborate further due to confidentiality clauses. Percy had tried to stop them, believing that it would be obvious that these were his friends and thus at worse biased in their statements or, as they actually were, outright lying. He was summarily overruled and could only watch as his friends banded together in glee at feeding the press hints at what Audrey could have been involved in. In fairness the papers had never been all that keen on fact checking, so he presumed what they were being fed was not more outlandish than what they could come up with on their own.

In short after a brief week or two of outrage the matter was dropped and plans proceeded apace. He received a kind note from the Spanish Ambassador but thought that was more likely due to the friendship that had sprouted between their respective wives.

Planning meetings had taken a slightly more intense mood. There was a small but vocal faction who were protesting his candidacy. While he thought it very unlikely they would stop his election, it seemed that it wasn't going to be unprotested. They were currently demanding he stepped down, there were no overt threats of what would happen should he not, but that itself was worrisome. The security planning for the event had taken up several hours of his days and as the day got closer Percy felt the tension growing.

"Have you decided if Audrey and the girls will attend?" Kingsley asked at their weekly meeting, the topic had been broached before but a decision either way had never been reached.

"I am not sure if it is altogether feasible, never mind advisable." Percy replied, leaning back in his chair with a heavy sigh.

"We'll get an Auror guard personally assigned to them. Come on Percy this is your big day you need your family there. It's as much of a statement as everything else."

"I have said this before, my family is not a rallying point. I will not have them turned into a political movement."

"Well, it might be a bit late for that." Kingsley pointed out kindly. "It doesn't take a genius to join the dots, everything you have achieved over the years, it's all very obviously linked."

Percy sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Yes, but thankfully most people haven't put it together otherwise I don't think the concern would be Audrey becoming the power behind the Ministry as much as it would be pointing out that she already is. But yes, fine, if Audrey is comfortable in coming to the Ministry, then we can assign an Auror team to her. My family will stay with them, as well."

"Your mother?"

"I fully expect her to be there," Percy said. "She'll likely be the one waving the placard protesting my election. Ask Hooper if he will assign my brother and his partner to Audrey. I don't wish to pull rank over the head of the department assigning his teams, but I would be happier if it were Ron and Neville looking after them. They will all be wearing a full suit of protective enchantments, and between Fred, George, Bill, and Fleur I don't believe that they will be easily targeted."

"Excellent, I'll make the request of Hooper, I doubt he'd say no anyway. The Spanish Ambassador has requested an invitation as has the delegate from France." Kingsley informed him waving the parchment that had the current list of political guests.

Percy frowned slightly. "Who is the French delegate? I don't recall who is currently aide to the President of Magic."

Kingsley scanned the list. "Jean Luc Delacour."

Percy tilted his head in surprise. "Really?"

"You know them?"

"No, but he's probably a relation of Fleur, my sister-in-law, the Delacour family isn't small, but they are very close knit. I'll ask her."

Kingsley snorted. "You know, if I wanted to keep this job, I think I would have to have you assassinated. You are hideously well connected. I almost feel sorry for Robards. A career leading the Department of Magical Law Enforcement is traditionally the way to the Minister's office. He hasn't done badly at it either, no major scandals or incidents, normally he'd be a shoe in."

"Almost?" Percy asked curiously.

Kingsley gave Percy a flat look. "You are undeniably good at this. You have without any doubt been the biggest support and ally I could have had taking the role on. But you are also a massive pain in the arse. You can and have undermined this office when you have decided to. You have thrown me to the wolves to suit your own agenda." Kingsley held his palms before him. "I know that until the vote is in it could go either way, but there is so little chance Robards could win this from you. So yes almost, because I need you to win, and him to resign on the tails of his defeat so that I can finally return to where I want to be, which is not swimming in the murky pool of British politics while my undersecretary is the biggest shark in the pond."

Percy blinked. "Other than that one exception, I have never used this office to undermine you."

"No," Kingsley agreed. "And I can't say that I'm not grateful for it, working with you has been one of the better parts of the job. Anyway, enough of this, we've four weeks left. Is there anyone else we need to plan for?"

Percy drew the guest list over to himself scanning down it, putting Kingsley's words to the back of his mind for later consideration.

The doorbell rang, its peel of sound sending Audrey to answer it with her mother on her heels. The opened door revealed a crumpled and creased man casually leaning up against the wall, a dusty duffle bag at his feet.

"Charlie?" Audrey said, surprised. "I didn't know you were coming."

He shrugged bending to pick up his bag. Audrey caught the wince that crossed his face. "You're hurt?"

Charlie waved a hand in a negative motion. "Nothing serious. Part of the reason I wasn't sure if I could be here. Matilda was being a pill about her relocation."

"Matilda?" Lizzy asked from behind Audrey where she had come to see who was at the door.

"Ah, err umm one of the animals at the reserve, ma'am."

Lizzy snorted. "Good lord with excuses as poor as that it's a wonder we haven't twigged earlier."

"Mum," Audrey said, chivvying Charlie into the front room. "Leave him be. Mum knows, you don't have to hide it around either of my parents."

"Oh righto," Charlie nodded agreeably.

"I'll take that," Lizzie said nodding at his bag. "You're staying, I presume."

"Ah, yeah if you don't mind. Only Shell Cottage is a bit small. I'm alright on the sofa."

"We've got a spare room," Audrey said. "It's fine. Percy had it put in with wizarding space. We'll do an actual physical extension when the girls are a bit older."

"Where are they?" Charlie asked

"In the garden with my Dad, running off their excess energy before having to behave for a couple of hours."

The thunder of running feet echoed down the hall. Maggie and then her friend Sophie, threw themselves into the room. "Mum! I caught a frog!"

"Of course you did," Audrey replied, looking at her grubby daughter. "You left it outside, didn't you? Frogs don't like houses."

"Yes, it hopped away after I kissed it."

"Why did you kiss a frog?" Charlie asked bemused.

"To see if it would turn into a prince. All the frogs in the stories turn into princes, and I wouldn't want to be a frog if I was actually a prince and since frogs can't talk how would you know which ones are princes and which ones are frogs without kissing them all?" Sophie answered promptly.

"Did you have another kid?" Charlie asked Audrey with a raised brow.

"No," Audrey replied. "This is Sophie, Maggie's friend, she and her sister Gwen stayed over last night for a sleepover, and we're taking them home just before we need to get ready which is about ten minutes away. They live four doors up on the other side of the street. Sophie, can you run upstairs and make sure your bag is packed, please. I'll ring your Dad."

Sophie nodded and left the room, Maggie on her heels.

Audrey turned back to Charlie. "Do you need some pain killers? Or there's a cabinet in Percy's office with some potions in it if you think they might help."

"Maybe," Charlie said. "Moving is a bit awkward at the moment."

"Come on then, we'll see what we can find." Audrey led him to the door down to the cellar. Lucy and Gwen came charging in, forcing Audrey to hold out her hands to stop them running into them both. "Gwen, Sophie is upstairs packing your bag. Can you go and help her, please? Lucy, Grandma is up there as well, and you need to start getting ready."

Lucy nodded happily and followed Gwen as they continued down the hall.

Audrey watched to make sure they got to the stairs, and Gwen was helping Lucy before opening the door. She showed Charlie the cupboard, and he raided it for a few potions. "

I'll replace these," he said, slipping them into his pocket.
"There's no need," Audrey assured him. "Percy can pick some more up next time he's out or we can order some to be delivered."

Back upstairs, Audrey made a quick call before corralling Maggie's friends. "The girls will shower first, then it's all yours," Audrey said to Charlie. "Bill and Fleur will be here soon. We're meeting Fred and George at the public entry to the Ministry. Percy had them send Ministry cars for us. As well as an escort although that's Ron and Neville so more family really. I'll be back in a minute."

Audrey shuffled the girls out the door, leaving Charlie alone. Curious, as he hadn't seen his brother's house before, he wandered through to the kitchen poking around a little before sticking his head around the other door off the hall. The dining room was, as far as Charlie could see, perfectly normal. The large mirror hung on the wall overlooking the table was the one that he knew they used to communicate. But nothing in the room struck him as out of the ordinary. It was a clean, comfortable home that was a world away from the haphazard Burrow and the cute charm of Shell cottage. It was decidedly Percy, Charlie concluded. Deciding that he should do something about becoming presentable, he made his way upstairs.

"You're in there," Lizzy pointed to a door, as she waited outside what Charlie guessed was the partially open bathroom door. There was no sound of running water but an off-key humming. "Lucy's drying herself. She needs help getting washed, but she's insistent that she's mastered drying herself," Lizzy confided with amused pride.

"You're not joining us?" Charlie asked.

"No, Rick and I are staying here in case the girls activate their portkeys."

Charlie's eyebrows rose.

Lizzy huffed. "You don't know?"

"I am a bit out of the loop. The job is demanding, and I don't get much time to keep in touch."

"Well, there are a few people that aren't keen on Percy's election. Hence the security that's surrounding Audrey and the girls. It's not just because Audrey's going to be one a very few muggles that have seen the inside of this Ministry of yours."

"He thinks someone might try something?"

Lizzy shrugged. "Who knows, but Percy isn't the type to take the risk."

The bathroom door opened, and Lucy came out wrapped up in her dressing gown, red hair laying wet on her shoulders. Maggie tripped out of her room. "My turn!" she shouted, giggling as she shot past everyone and slammed the door closed.

Lizzy took Lucy's hand. "Right, this is my cue. Come on Lucy let's get you into your fancy robes."

Charlie heard the door open and glanced down the stairs.

"Only me!" Audrey called out as she came in.

"Up here," Charlie replied.

Audrey jogged up the stairs. "Is Lucy out of the bathroom?"

"Your mum just took her to put her robes on."

"Mmm, I best do the same. Luckily, I had a shower earlier and refrained from crawling around in the garden and kissing frogs, so I reckon I'll pass muster. Want a snack before we go? There's food eventually apparently, but I'm not sure when and we'll have to give the girls something to tide them over."

"Ever known a Weasley to turn down food?"

"No," Audrey said. "Not ever. Give me a minute, and I'll lay something out in the dining room. Bill will probably join you."

Audrey turned back down the stairs and Charlie went to sort himself out. Pulling out his robes, he shook them, trying to reduce the creases. He heard someone enter the bathroom, persuading Maggie to get out of the shower. After a couple of minutes of indistinct but emphatic conversation, he listened to the shower shut off. There was a gentle knock on his door as he gathered his toiletries.

"I'll leave you fresh towels out here," he heard Audrey say from the other side of the door. Charlie called back his thanks and stripped off his coat, t-shirt, boots and socks. He cast a waterproofing charm on the bandage that was covering his latest injury then stepped out of the room into the bathroom.

Showered and dressed he headed downstairs to find Bill and Fleur had already arrived. Victoire and Dominique were on the sofa, heads bent together over a book full of bright pictures.

"Charlie," Bill said warmly in welcome. "You made it."

"Mostly in one piece," he replied, giving his brother a hug. "Fleur," he said nodding at his sister-in-law.

"Oh no, you cannot look like that," Fleur said in concern.

Charlie glanced down, household charms had never really been a strong suit, and despite his efforts, his robes were looking somewhat rumpled still. Fleur's wand was out and waving before he had a chance to mount a protest. The creases vanished, the fabric stiffened as it had when it had been new, and a small cloud of dust made its way from the material to be vanished.

"There," Fleur said with a satisfied nod. "You cannot disgrace Percy on such an important day."

Charlie's eyebrow rose at Fleur's defence of his younger brother.

Bill caught the look and shrugged resignedly. "Come on, Audrey put food out. I doubt there's going to be any at this shindig."

Charlie followed his brother out of the room to be stopped in surprise as Audrey came down the stairs holding on to a daughter with each hand. "Wow," Charlie said in honest shock.

Audrey grinned. "Don't, I really have to concentrate not to trip over the hem. You'll make me slip."

Fleur following on Charlies heels ducked around him exclaiming. "Oh, Audrey, I knew you would look stunning. And Maggie and Lucy too. You look enchanting."

Audrey reached the bottom of the stairs releasing Maggie and Lucy, who shot into the sitting room to greet their cousins. The witch's robes that Audrey had chosen were in heavy brocade of dark blue fastened up the front with a multitude of tiny jet buttons. The sleeves were close-fitting, and the neckline was square and bordered with more jet beads.

Audrey twirled. "Shall I pass?"

"Of course," Fleur smiled widely. "And Maggie and Lucy will as well. I have to ask because Percy insisted I remind you, are you are wearing all your jewellery?"

"Yes, Lucy and Maggie have the necklaces on and portkeys in their pockets. They've been told in the sternest tones not to wander off and make sure they always stay with me or Fred and George or you and Bill. I am wearing my ring, and I've got a portkey in my pocket too. Mum and Dad are staying here in case anything does happen."

"Mummy," Lucy came out into the hall.

"Yes, Lucy?" Audrey turned, her eyes automatically running over her daughter's dress checking for mishaps.

"Can Fawkes come?"

Audrey bit her lip. Fawkes was fully grown, as large as a swan and flamboyant and brightly coloured. He was unmistakably a phoenix. He was also capable of magically travelling between spaces and carrying loads she couldn't imagine any bird should be able to. That weight would include both her daughters, and as much as Audrey believed that Percy had gone overboard on the security, she also knew that she would be helpless to stop any magical attack on their children. Fawkes could get them out of trouble. He might even be able to get all three of them out of trouble. She crouched down in front of Lucy. "OK, he can come, but he stays on his perch all the time. If there's trouble, he's to take you and Maggie home."

Fawkes trilled an affirmative from the perch up on the wall he had fluttered to as they came downstairs.

"Alright then," Audrey said. "Go and get his collapsible perch and put it in your pocket."

"I've already got it," Lucy said with a sly smile.

Audrey huffed. "Well alright then, but you're responsible for him Lucy. He's not to get hurt, and you've got to look after him as much as he will look after you." Lucy nodded emphatically. Audrey stood from her crouch. "There's some food out on the dining room table. Go and have some and put some grapes in your pocket for Fawkes. Ask Uncle Bill to put a spell on your pocket to stop them from getting squished."

Lucy nodded and skipped off into the dining room, Fawkes fluttered after her, his wings unable to fully open in the cramped hall space.

"You are sure about the phoenix?" Fleur asked.

"No," Audrey said. "It's going to draw attention we can do without, but if Fawkes can get the girls out, which he can, then I'll take it."

The car pulled up outside the Ministry entrance, and Neville got out first. He glanced up and down the street cautiously. Maggie shot out of the car despite her mother calling her back. "Uncle Fred! Uncle George!" she shouted, running full tilt at the waiting wizards. "I kissed a frog."

Fred and George looked down at her and grinned. "Did you now."

"Yes! Sophie helped me catch it, and we both kissed it then it hopped away. It didn't turn into a prince."

"She's going to tell someone really important that story," Audrey said, getting out of the car and shaking the creases out of her robes. "I'm going to have to stand there and explain how it's not because I'm a muggle my daughter is trying to turn frogs into princes, it's because her father, yes the Minister for Magic, no I do mean him, reads her stories at bedtime where frogs regularly turn into princes. Yes, it is muggle literature, and yes, perhaps she is taking it a bit too far, but he's the Minister for Magic, and he likes reading the stories with happy endings to his daughter."

Fleur came up beside her motioning for her to remove her ring. Audrey slipped it from her finger long enough to let Fleurs neatening charm wash over her robes then slipped it back on.

"Think we got away with that?" Audrey asked with a sly smile to her sister-in-law.

"No," Ron said. "Could you maybe not do that again. It's not just that you're family and Percy will come up with ways to make my life hell if you so much as chip your nail polish but this is my job, and I'm good at it."

"Sorry, Ron."

He shrugged. "Can we please get off the street? It's going to take an age to get us all through the entrance."

"Of course," Audrey turned to collect Lucy from the huddle of cousins. "Lucy, will you go with Uncle Fred and George?"

Lucy considered then looked over at Charlie. "Uncle Charlie?"

Audrey glanced over at him. He shrugged. "If she wants."

"Ok with Uncle Charlie then, but you'll be good and stay with him?"

"Yes," she said, holding up her arms in the universal signal for 'up' to Charlie.

He paused for a moment hoping the potions had done their job on his injury but willingly picked her up. "You know Lucy I've never met a phoenix before," he said as he walked towards the telephone box.

Lucy shrugged. "Fawkes is nice."

"Yes, he is."

Fleur herded Victoire and Dominque forward letting Ron follow them. It took a few journeys, but eventually, everyone arrived in the Ministry atrium.

Percy strode into the Minister for Magic's office and stopped. His formal robes lay heavy on his shoulders, his abrupt halt set them swaying gently around his feet.

He had just come from the Wizengamot Chamber. It was done. As of five minutes ago, he had officially achieved the dream his fifteen-year-old self, had barely dared to dream. He had ten minutes to familiarise himself with his office and settle with the wards before he would be publicly announced to the crowd in the Ministry atrium. It was perhaps time he didn't need given his familiarity with the office, but he took it all the same.

He, Percival Ignatius Weasley was Minister for Magic. Two and a half months shy of his thirtieth birthday he was the youngest ever elected Minister in Britain.

His head was buzzing. Not just with the magic of the wards that were rubbing up against his senses like a loveable cat but because he'd half thought that this day was never coming.

His wife was a muggle. He spearheaded the repeal of the Marriage law. He had engineered educational reforms the likes of which the magical world hadn't seen since Hogwarts opened its doors. He had made friends and allies, but he'd also made enemies.

The last eight months of his life had been spent out-manoeuvring and putting down a political movement led in part by his own mother. That had been something out of a muggle science fiction novel and had nearly made him throw in the towel over getting elected. If it hadn't been likely that Kingsley would have personally murdered him, and if Audrey hadn't spent her evenings listening to him rant, while she offered words of reassurance and comfort, and when that hadn't worked, called his brothers to take him out and make him forget, then he wouldn't have made it.

As it was there was yet another 'project' underway. A collaborative effort across multiple departments to discover the orphaned muggleborn and relocate them into the magical world through adoption. So far, they had managed to find three muggleborn under the age of attendance at Hogwarts and two who were currently attending Hogwarts and settle them with magical families. There was a horrendous list of things that needed to be done and checked up on and the amount of bureaucracy involved on the magical side was extremely frustrating, never mind on the muggle side. But it was a start and it had blunted the teeth of the group that had been calling for more draconian measures.

The next steps were to create a wizarding liaison for muggleborn families. When their children first showed their magic, they would be assigned a liaison who would then be a point of contact for the wizarding world. Someone for the families to get in touch with if they were struggling and a source of information about the magical world that would hopefully help bridge some of the gaps between them. The plans were laid, the department that would need to be created inside of Family Services was all set out, the people who would be needed had been approached and sounded out about moving over and additions to legislation to ensure that oversight and proper procedure were in review ready to go to the Wizengamot. All it needed was for Percy to get elected so that he could throw the power of the Ministry fully behind it. It was going to be a long hard slog to get the program where he wanted it, but it was going to be worth it.

Percy wandered over the desk. Kingsley had cleared his things out the day before, all his ongoing files, meetings and agendas had been handed over, not that it had taken particularly long given who Percy was, but the ceremony had been observed. He sat in the chair and as he had all those years ago, he took a breath and pulled the bottom drawer open.

It slid smoothly on its runner and Percy couldn't help the bark of laughter that escaped him. He had no idea why the act of opening this drawer that convinced him this wasn't a dream.
He'd been at the vote declaration. He'd shaken Robards hand and said all the right things he was supposed to, to the other man. He'd immediately promoted Edward to Undersecretary and told him to go ahead with the plans to poach the people he wanted to the Junior Undersecretary role. The dominos had been falling one after the other in perfect formation that was the result of the immense amount of planning that had gotten him to this day.

He was the Minister for Magic.

He gathered his scattered fragmented thoughts and pulled himself together. His time was nearly up, there was the announcement of his successful election to get through, then the traditional ball where he would have to make nice with all and sundry who were going to be sounding him out on all manner of things and watching him like hawks for any missteps. More importantly his family was waiting for him. Audrey was waiting for him.

A knock on the door brought his attention snapping back.

"Enter."

The door opened, and Edward walked in. "Minister Weasley, is there anything you need me to do for you?"

"No," Percy replied. "Is everything ready for tomorrow's meeting with the Prime Minister?"

"Yes, Minister Weasley,"

Percy nodded. "Let's knock that off, shall we? In public, yes fine formal address, but you can't call me Minister Weasley every time we speak, it's ridiculous. Percy will be fine within these offices, unless you are desperate for me to address you as Undersecretary Harrow constantly?"

"A bit much?" Edward laughed as he leaned against the door frame

"A lot much," Percy agreed. "Did you hear back from Miss Greengrass? I meant to check in yesterday but," he trailed off waving a hand to encompass everything.

"I have and she is going to say yes."

"Going to?"

"Mmmhm, obviously yesterday you weren't the Minister, today however," Edward grinned. "It's a bit political with the family being historically neutral but Daph isn't a traditional heiress and her work within International Co-op was excellent. She'll be an asset. She is also friends with Draco Malfoy." Edward paused giving Percy a considering look.

"Is this a problem?" Percy asked.

"No, it simply came up when I mentioned that the office was looking for a Junior Undersecretary. I wasn't aware of the details, but it seems you made an impression."

"I do do that," Percy agreed with a smile. "Bad habit I should think. Does she have any plans?"

"Not overt ones, I sounded her out a little, there's no projects or causes she currently wants to champion but, well you've set an example, so in a year or so that may well change."

"I shall endeavour to keep an ear to the ground," Percy replied. "What about your plans?"

"Same for me yet," Edwards said genially, "give me a little longer to get my feet properly under your old desk and we'll see."

Percy nodded. "It is not as simple as it was, but my door will remain open, and I do happen to have quite the network. If you need any help, you or Miss Greengrass. Additionally, I would be grateful if you could keep an eye on the adoptions and flag up if it seems to be struggling. My attention must be on the new department in Family Services, but I don't want it to be neglected."

Edward grinned. "I'll let you know, and of course I'll keep an eye on it. Right, enough shop talk. Let's get you downstairs and announced. Security have confirmed that your family are all here. Your wife and daughters have two Aurors assigned and two plainclothes in the crowd. They are to the centre left of the stage when you step out. There's been a small protest gather by the floos but they've been moved on. I've also had the confirmation that the hotel has been swept and is ready and waiting. The Ambassador and his wife arrived ten minutes ago as you specifically wished to be informed, and the French delegate has already greeted your family in the atrium."

Percy nodded as he headed to the door of the office. Edward stepped out of the way as Percy exited and locked the door himself. "I'll teach you the spells first thing Monday," he commented. "It's a bit more access than you've had previously but nothing too exciting." They exited the outer office and Percy waited while Edward locked the door. Then they strode down the corridor towards the lift and the waiting crowd.

They were in a group off to one side of the centre of the dais where it had been agreed by the security team they would stand. They were close to a door that led to a room that contained a floo and had been specially warded for them in case anything was to go wrong. Audrey had been approached and congratulated by a veritable flood of Percy's friends and colleagues and the tide had finally died down leaving them as a family group. Audrey, Fleur, and Ginny were idly gossiping when the younger witch who was facing Audrey stiffened.

"Oh, hell to the no," Ginny spat with quiet venom. Audrey turned around to see what Ginny had caught sight of. Molly Weasley was hovering at the edge of their group. A quick glance showed that Ron and Neville were eyeing her with some level of suspicion. Audrey searched out her children, Fred and George had placed themselves between them and their mother, Bill had stepped forward while Fleur remained at her side.

"I would like to speak to Percy's wife," Molly said to Bill. He turned his head over his shoulder; the silent question asked.

Audrey sighed. "Can you put up a silencing charm around us?" she asked Ginny and Fleur. Ginny nodded so Audrey moved forward took a step forward with both at her side, Ginny with her arms crossed, and an insolent look on her face. Arthur came up behind them a frown on his face directed at his wife.

Ron moved further back towards where Maggie and Lucy were chattering away not yet having noticed what was happening. Ginny twirled her wand, and the silencing charm sprang up around them in a bubble.

"I would like to stand with my family during this event." Molly said in a quiet voice.

"You're really going to do this here?" Audrey asked irritably. "You're going to force me to make a decision in public that would be better left private."

"Molly," Arthur said in a cold tone. "This is inappropriate."

Molly sent a quick glance at her husband. "I would like to stand with you."

"With me or with them?" Audrey asked, indicating the array of Weasleys. "Because I'll be honest, Mrs Weasley, you've all but written my existence off when it suited you, and that's been the last eight years at my count. You accused both Percy and me of terrible things. You denounced me for being who I am, you refused to attend our wedding, you didn't attend either of my daughters' births, and you have missed all of their lives so far."

"I,"

"Look," Audrey interrupted, letting her tone harden. "This isn't a public conversation. I am not about to make a scene. If Percy comes out on that dais and sees you standing next to me, he's going to flip his shit. That is not what I want for him."

Molly's shoulders slumped, and she looked away.

"So," Audrey continued. "You are going to stand there by Neville and Ginny, and my children and I are going to stand here with all of our family between us. If you so much as look at them sideways it will go badly for you. This is not forgiveness or understanding. This is not an olive branch or the first step on the path to reconciliation. This is me doing what is best for Percy, which is not causing a scene and asking for you to be escorted out. You will not speak to me. You will not approach or try to speak to my children. You may stand there and that is all. If that is something you cannot do, then I suggest you leave now. I have no interest in your reasons or excuses. You have behaved terribly. You have said derogatory things about me that have been repeated to my children. I am not going to expose myself or them to the sort of person you have proven yourself to be. My daughters and I are wearing enchanted jewellery to protect us from magic from people like you, and all three of us have portkeys in our pockets. Do not make us use them."

Molly turned back to face Audrey with something pitifully close to gratitude in her eyes. "Thank you."

"I'm not interested in your thanks." Audrey stepped backwards, out of the circle of the silencing charm, moving towards Fred and George. Maggie wriggled out of Fred grasp and over to her side.

"Mummy? Is that Grandma Weasley?" Maggie asked in a loud whisper.

"Yes love, it is. She's going to stand with us so she can see Daddy come out on the stage."

Maggie shot her grandmother a profoundly suspicious look. Fred caught her hand up. "Come here, Maggie. It's nearly time for your Daddy to come out. Do you want me to lift you back up so you can see?"

"Yes, please," Maggie said. "I need to stay near Lucy though in case the bad people come."

"We'll stand right here. Look, Uncle Charlie has lifted Lucy up so she can see too. Mummy is going to stand next to us so that you Daddy will see you when he comes out on stage."

George made a pointed movement and took up a position at Audrey's side sandwiching her between himself and his twin. He reached out, taking Audrey's hand and giving it a squeeze. She sent him a small smile in return trying to relax and not draw any further attention from the hovering press. Family drama on today of all days was the absolute last thing she wanted them to see.
Ginny kept her arms crossed standing next to Neville a serene look on her face though in her hand, her wand rolled between her fingers. Bill and Fleur lifted their own daughters up so they could see, staying close to Audrey.

Arthur who had exchanged some harshly whispered words with his wife, stepped over to his daughter in law. "You don't have to do this," he said quietly. "It's not fair to put you on the spot publicly."

"It's alright," Audrey with a slightly forced smile. "We're going to stand here, Percy's going to come out, then the press is going to look for his family for the photo op. We should be stood together. There's been a bit of a rumble what with the legislation that Percy is putting together and with the adoptions, if this makes things a bit easier for him, then I can stand here and make nice."

Arthur patted her hand. "We don't deserve you, but I'm delighted we have you."

Audrey smiled more genuinely. "We'll get through the glad-handing at the hotel after this, then the girls will go home to my parents. Once they're out of the way, I'll feel a little less on edge."

"They are doing very well," Arthur said comfortingly.

"Well, they have Fred and George entertaining them," Audrey said. "Favourite uncles go a long way. Although I think Charlie might be moving up a spot or two for Lucy." She tilted her head where Lucy was chattering away to Charlie.

"It's probably the phoenix. He could never resist an exotic pet," Ron said quietly.

Audrey bit down on a laugh. "Jealous?"

"Nah, kids aren't really my thing. Yours are great, but you know."

"The single life of a bachelor still treating you well?"

"Very well," Ron confirmed with a smile as his eyes moved over the crowd.

"Well, you're welcome for lunch on Sundays if you get bored with Pot Noodles."

"What's a Pot Noodle?" he asked.

Audrey's grin grew a little. "I'll get some sent to you. Dead quick filling meals. You just add hot water to a pot, and it makes noodle soup. Loads of people eat them. Quite good for lunch at a desk."

"Huh," Ron said. "I'll try anything once."

"Shh," Fleur said. "Look, it's starting."

The door at the back of the platform opened and the Wizengamot filed out to form a semicircle on the dais. Kingsley stepped forward through the Wizengamot and cleared his throat pointedly. "Ladies and gentlemen. I stand here before you to formally resign my post as Minister for Magical Britain. My resignation has been accepted by the Wizengamot in accordance with our laws. The election of the candidate to replace me has been carried out, and the new Minister for Magic has been duly appointed. Ladies and gentlemen, I am delighted to introduce you to your new Minister for Magic, Minister Percy Weasley."

With a flourish of Kingsley's hand towards the back of the stage and a choreographed step sideways by the Wizengamot, a gap opened, and Percy stepped through in the formal dress robes of the Minister for Magic.

Raucous applause broke out as he came to the front of the stage and shook hands with Kingsley. They parted, and Percy turned to face the crowd. His eyes scanning until they fixed upon his family. His eyes flickered to his mother in shock then back to Audrey, who was smiling widely and clapping. His daughters were clapping and waving wildly supported by their uncles and Percy couldn't help the small smile that slipped out at the sight of them.

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you. I, as your duly appointed Minister for Magic, hope that we can continue to make the improvements to our society that we have been making for the last eight years. I have always believed in a better society for all magical peoples and will continue to work towards that goal. I firmly believe that it is time for our society to step from the shadows of our past and become the vanguard of progress. We have amongst our community some of the best and brightest. It is my desire as Minister to give these people the support and platform they need to allow them to put our society back at the forefront of innovation. In light of that and in a slight break from tradition, the ball that is usually held within the Ministry has been moved to a different location.

Some four years ago a ground-breaking educational reform was made at Hogwarts. The students who chose to take the Muggle Studies elective were given the opportunity to gain muggle qualifications equivalent to an OWL. Those students who decided to carry on to NEWT level were able to take the Muggle equivalent exam and earn a role in a variety of muggle led industries. This opportunity has led the way for the recent expansion in magical hostelry and of Diagonal Alley with the opening of several new places of business. Tonight, to honour the hard work of those students and the bravery and daring of our leading educational institute, the Hotel Occamy will be hosting the ball where our past students will be able to demonstrate their achievements to you. The hotel has agreed to open the floo connection to its grand ballroom, if you would kindly make your way to floos six through to twelve."