Percy had arrived at work half an hour early where he immediately made his way up to the Minister of Magic’s office. Percy just hoped that his father had not arrived at work yet to see what Percy was about to do. Despite Arthur Weasley’s derision of Dumbledore’s plan Percy knew he would not approve of Percy telling the Minister of Magic what was going on as Dad thought him to be a fool. How Dad thought he'd attained the position of Minister of Magic whilst being one Percy had no idea.
Percy chapped on the door feeling very nervous about what was going to happen if he was admitted into the highest office in the Ministry of Magic. A large part of him wished that the Minister would not be in so Percy could not do what he was about to do. Despite everything that had happened in the last few days going to the Minister still felt like a betrayal.
‘Enter,’ Fudge called.
Percy entered nervously taking a gulp as he tried desperately to settle his nerves but to no avail. Still despite his nervousness he couldn’t help but look around the office with awe even if the office looked far more ordinary than Percy had pictured in his day dreams. One day Percy decided this office would be his. Percy couldn’t see anyway he would not achieve his ambitions.
‘Minister,’ Percy said hoping he didn’t sound too much of a child. ‘Professor Dumbledore has been around at my house. I fear his influence on my parents and younger siblings. As well as his plans for Harry – that is Heir Slytherin.’
Fudge gave Percy a piercing look, ‘your father is Arthur Weasley, right?’
Fudge’s face at the mention of his father caused Percy to flush with embarrassment, shame, anger and self-loathing for being ashamed of his father. Percy had encountered this kind of remark from higher ups since he had joined the Ministry who were surprised to find Percy so normal. They all found his father’s fondness for Muggles and their inventions to be baffling and insane.
‘Yes, sir,’ Percy said with some trepidation.
‘It does not surprise me that your father has been hoodwinked by Dumbledore,’ Fudge said bitterly. ‘So tell me what you know.’
Percy hesitated, ‘I want to but I don’t want to cause my father to lose his job. I will tell you everything about Dumbledore’s plans if you can guarantee that my father will keep his job.’
Fudge gave Percy a piercing look, ‘that will depend what he’s involved in. I can promise that I won’t have him fired but if he is found to be involved in criminal activities then it is possible that the DMLE would prosecute or Lord Slytherin if he is involved in slandering young Heir Slytherin. If you would like a can summon Madam Bones and Lord Slytherin of them up here myself.’
‘Yes, please,’ Percy said eagerly.
‘Christie,’ Fudge called to his assistant. ‘Ask Amelia to come up and contact Lord Slytherin to inform him that I have information on Dumbledore’s plans regarding his Heir.’
‘Yes, sir,’ a young man’s voice said quickly.
A few minutes later Amelia Bones entered annoyance clear in her hard face. Percy looked nervously at one of the most powerful woman in the Ministry of Magic who reminded her quite a lot of Professor McGonagall. Percy realised that after everything that had come out about the Headmaster it was likely that she was very busy trying to gather evidence enough to convict one of the most powerful and influential men in Britain.
‘Cornelius, I hope that this is important I have got to conduct the interviews at Hogwarts today,’ Madam Bones said sharply.
‘Of course, Amelia, Mr Weasley, however, has been made aware of Dumbledore’s plans,’ Cornelius explained. ‘We are just awaiting Lord Slytherin.’
Half an hour later Lord Slytherin wearing designer black robes with blood red hems looking like they had been dipped in blood entered the Minister’s office without knocking as if he belonged there. Percy had the first chance to look at Harry’s father who he had been curious about since the news came out. The man who Dumbledore, his parents and the Order believed to be You Know Who.
Percy had already considered this notion faintly ridiculous and now when he was faced with the Lord of the Slytherin House even his faintest suspicions disappeared as though they had Apparated. Oh Percy could have believed the arrogant man and even James Potter were Death Eaters. But Percy could definitely not believe this refined Lord was You Know Who.
Everyone knew what You Know Who looked like. There had been history books with descriptions of the Dark Lord. He was described as a monster with scaled, grey skin and bright snake red eyes. Lord Slytherin on the other hand was a handsome man who was older than Percy’s own father with deep, dark, brooding brown eyes and black hair. Percy's first thought was that Harry must have inherited a lot from his bearer rather than his sire although given the Harry Percy had seen in the atrium yesterday Percy suspected that Harry had been under a glamour for the whole time Percy knew him.
‘Before I say something may I request that you do not sack or prosecute my father for his involvement in all this,’ begged Percy.
‘As long as he is not a threat to my son I shall endeavour to be open-minded about his involvement with Albus Dumbledore,’ Lord Slytherin said. ‘I know from Hadrian exactly how manipulative he is especially to those who only have the best intentions.’
‘Thank you, Lord Slytherin,’ Percy inclined his head.
Percy knew that even if Arthur did think that Harry was the son of the Dark Lord he would not agree with harming Harry because he was an innocent and cared for Harry. Unfortunately the same could not be said for his mother or Dumbledore. Since Dumbledore had claimed Harry to be the son of You Know Who mum was all for killing Harry despite her apparently caring for Harry as her seventh son. In fact Percy was more than a little concerned about the boy.
Amelia frowned, ‘so long as Arthur has not committed any crimes I will not prosecute.’
‘He hasn’t,’ Percy said quickly.
Percy took a deep breath knowing that if he did this his parents and the Order would consider him a traitor to their cause but it was a cause Percy did not believe in. Percy could quite honestly say this was the hardest thing he had ever done and he really wished he could just keep quiet. However, Percy could not do nothing as his parents plotted treason and murder.
‘Go on them, Mr Weasley,’ Lord Slytherin.
‘Dumbledore and a group he calls the Order of the Phoenix-‘began Percy.
‘It was the vigilante group that Dumbledore used in the last war to fight against He Who Must Not Be Named,’ explained Amelia.
‘They have met at my house twice,’ explained Percy. ‘Once yesterday morning and then again last night after the news about Harry being your son came out … and the rumours that came with it.’
‘You mean the ludicrous notion that I am the dark wizard who almost brought your country to its knees,’ Lord Slytherin said darkly.
‘There’s no almost about it,’ the Minister said sharply. ‘If it had not been for your son I doubt the Ministry would have lasted another week.’
‘All I can do is assure you that I am not Lord Voldemort,’ Lord Slytherin said.
‘I know,’ Percy said, ‘but my Dad and the Order believe Dumbledore’s claims because he is Albus Dumbledore,’ Percy said bitterly.
‘Tell me what happened,’ Madam Bones said.
Percy nodded, ‘it was yesterday morning when Dad woke me up. Dad said that the Headmaster would be coming and there would be an important meeting. At the time none of us had any idea what this would be about only that the Headmaster insisted on using our house as a meeting place.
‘Why didn’t he use Hogwarts?’ questioned Fudge. ‘There are plenty of spare classrooms that are big enough to hold a meeting. All he would need is to conjure a table and some chairs which Dumbledore can easily do so.’
Percy shrugged, ‘apparently didn’t believe Hogwarts was secure enough. The Headmaster was worried about a child eavesdropping.’
‘He could have just used a privacy ward and a locking charm so even if a child was just outside the door it wouldn’t matter as they would not be able to hear it,’ Amelia said sharply. ‘What happened at this meeting?’
‘Well there was twenty-seven of us there,’ Percy said. ‘Dumbledore then arrived and informed us all that He Who Must Not Be Named had returned.’
‘How did they react to that news?’ Fudge said sharply.
Percy gulped, ‘we were terrified. Mum cried,’ scowled Percy.
‘Naturally,’ Fudge nodded crisply.
‘It is horrific how Dumbledore uses people’s worst fears against them,’ Lord Slytherin said darkly.
‘Indeed,’ agreed Bones.
‘Go on, Weasley,’ Fudge said.
‘Professor Snape got everyone to stop panicking,’ continued Percy.
‘So Professor Snape was there,’ Bones noted. ‘Any other Hogwarts Professors?’
‘Only McGonagall,’ replied Percy.
‘I’d like a full list of the names of all those present at either of the meetings,’ Bones ordered.
‘Yes, ma’am,’ Percy said quickly.
Percy quickly conjured a roll of parchment and wrote every name he had on it. Then he pushed the parchment back to the Head of the DMLE. The woman read it with pursed lips at the number of high up people Dumbledore had.
‘What was discussed apart from my so called return,’ sneered Lord Slytherin.
‘The Headmaster has claimed that the Minister is in denial, sir,’ Percy said respectfully. ‘I don’t believe that, sir,’ Percy said quickly.
‘Yes,’ agreed Fudge. ‘Dumbledore said something of the same affect when he tried to convince me that You Know Who has returned.’
Percy feeling relieved that the Minister did not hold Percy accountable for Dumbledore’s beliefs. If Fudge prevented him from progressing due to his family’s association with Dumbledore Percy didn’t know what he would do. Percy wanted to be the Minister of Magic one day so that one day he could have the credit that being a Weasley had always denied him before.
‘I asked him what evidence he had,’ Percy admitted. ‘Because I could not believe that you would do nothing if there was any evidence that he’s back!’
‘And let me guess,’ Fudge said. ‘He had none but his pet Death Eater’s Dark Mark burned.’
Percy nodded, ‘and apparently that’s happened before. Dumbledore also said that when the truth got out you would be booted out of office. The Order seemed to believe that when that happened Dumbledore should take your place.’
Fudge scowled, ‘yes I do believe Dumbledore’s warmongering is nothing more than a bid for my job.’
Percy was suitably horrified that Professor Dumbledore would be willing to use Voldemort's name in order to get power. That Albus Dumbledore the hero of Berlin and the Wizarding War was willing to sacrifice Harry and his father in order to get into power. However, it made more sense than anything else did at the moment because once Dumbledore had lost control over Harry's seats and popularity he needed an excuse to get away with everything he had done to the last of the Slytherin line.
‘Dumbledore sent Hagrid and Headmistress Maxime as envoys to the giants and Professor Lupin to the werewolves to gain their assistance,’ Percy said.
‘Giants and werewolves are dangerous creatures on their own but directed by Dumbledore and it could mean the fall of the Ministry as we know it,’ Fudge said darkly. ‘Dumbledore could bring the Ministry to its knees with their aid. Then he would pin the blame on He Who Must Not Be Named and save us from him. Thus, force me out in a vote of non-confidence and get himself elected.’
‘He also had Sturgis Podmore request a transfer to Azkaban where he would keep an eye on the Death Eaters and Dementors for any sign of a breakout,’ Percy continued.
‘Yes, I’ve got Auror Podmore’s request,’ Madam Bones said grimly. ‘I had very little reason to deny him his request. Few Aurors volunteer for the Azkaban shift.’
‘Naturally you are no longer going to grant him it,’ Fudge said. ‘Although what Dumbledore wants with the Azkaban inmates is anyone’s guess.’
‘It is possible that the Headmaster wishes to let a few of the Death Eaters escape,’ suggested Lord Slytherin. ‘It would lend credence to the idea that the Dark Lord has returned.’
Percy frowned, ‘you really think that the Headmaster would free Death Eaters to back up his stories.’
‘I have spent little time in Britain,’ Lord Slytherin said. ‘But the little time I have spent here as taught me one thing; there is nothing Dumbledore would not do to achieve his version of the greater good!’
Percy felt more than a little sick at this statement from the Russian wizard. Percy doubted the Russian wizard would understand. Percy had grown up on stories of the evil and terror of the death eaters as well as the greatness, the goodness of Albus Dumbledore. The fact that Dumbledore could even possibly be aiding Death Eaters was horrifying to him.
‘Was anything else discussed at that meeting?’ demanded Lord Slytherin.
Percy nodded, ‘Dumbledore asked Bill to approach the goblins but Bill didn’t seem hopeful and after the embezzlement charges were discovered he did not want to risk his job for Dumbledore.’
‘Well at least someone in your family as common sense,’ muttered the Slytherin Lord.
‘He is planning to watch any known Death Eaters and has had Lord Vance keep an eye on any bills that could originate from He Who Must Not Be Named,’ Percy continued.
‘Must be planning to use scare tactics as a way to influence the Wizengamot especially as he’s lost all the seats he was using in Harry’s name,’ added Lord Slytherin.
‘He’s also using some thief to keep an eye out for any gossip in criminal circles and he’s planning to recruit out of the Ministry,’ Percy said.
‘I’ll keep an eye on that,’ nodded Bones.
‘Last night another meeting was called about Harry err Heir Slytherin,’ Percy corrected himself with an apologetic look at Lord Slytherin.
‘You are Hadrian’s friend I do not mind you calling him by his chosen name,’ Lord Slytherin said not unkindly.
‘Right,’ Percy said trying to gather his thoughts. ‘Well the Order were all shouting over one another trying to figure out what was going on with Harry. They all believed it just because Professor Dumbledore said so which is messed up. How can they turn on someone they profess to care about because Dumbledore says he’s the son of He Who Must Not Be Named without offering any sort of proof!
‘I’ve known Harry for four years. Okay he has a bit of a disregard for the rules but he is kind and cares for anyone who’s kind to him. I just can’t see him as He Who Must Not Be Named’s son. I won’t turn on him because of Dumbledore!’
‘Thank you, Mr Weasley,’ Lord Slytherin said. ‘I am sure that Hadrian will be thankful for the support when so many of his so called friends have turned against him because of his so called parentage!’
‘No problem,’ Percy said quickly. ‘Dumbledore refused to answer Bill’s questions on whether he has embezzled from Harry or not making us think he has.’
‘He has,’ Lord Slytherin said sharply.
‘Dumbledore claimed that James Potter was a Death E-‘began Percy.
‘He was not,’ Lord Slytherin said sharply.
‘There was never any proof but Dumbledore’s words to back that up,’ Fudge said sharply. ‘And Dumbledore suspected all neutrals with traditionalist leanings of being Dark.’
‘Right,’ Percy said. ‘Well Dumbledore claimed that when James was a Death Eater he was raped by You Know Who. After realising he was pregnant Lord Potter went to Dumbledore for protection which Dumbledore gave for his cooperation.’
‘If that is true Albus Dumbledore was not in a position to offer Lord Potter clemency,’ Madam Bones said. ‘Only the Head of the DMLE is. If that had been true Dumbledore would be concealing a terrorist.’
‘But it is not because James was neither a Death Eater nor raped,’ Lord Slytherin said darkly.
Percy nodded quickly, ‘Dumbledore said he lied to Harry to keep Harry from knowing the horrible truth. To protect Harry but Dad also let slip that Harry’s relatives abused him. That when Dad told Dumbledore he did nothing because of blood wards which can’t exist because they’re not related!’
‘I am aware of Hadrian’s childhood,’ Lord Slytherin said darkly. ‘What I have no knowledge of is why your father did not go through the normal channels when Dumbledore did noting.’
‘Because Dumbledore said so,’ Percy said quietly.
‘Of course he did,’ the Slytherin Lord looked absolutely furious. ‘I said I will no prosecute your father and I will not but my son may have different feelings on this matter. What else has Albus Dumbledore claimed about my son and lover?’
‘Dumbledore then claimed that Harry somehow found out that he was You Know Who’s son. That when He Who Must Not Be Named found out he manipulated Harry. Made Harry believe he cared for him and was in love with his bearer. Put the thoughts in Harry’s head that Dumbledore was not all he said he was.’
‘No one needed to put any thoughts in Hadrian’s head,’ Lord Slytherin said darkly. ‘He did that all by himself.’
‘Dumbledore also believes that Harry kidnapped Hermione to use her in The Dark Lord’s resurrection ritual as a sacrifice,’ Percy continued.
‘Yes I have heard that theory from Dumbledore,’ agreed Madam Bones.
‘I left after that when Dumbledore could not offer any evidence,’ Percy said.
‘There’s no evidence because Harry is innocent,’ Lord Slytherin said darkly.
Percy nodded, ‘Bill and Charlie followed agreeing with me. Bill has gone to his bosses to tell them what he knows because he does not want to be found guilty by association with mum and Dumbledore.
‘But apparently before Bill and Charlie left they heard some of Dumbledore’s plots to kill Harry,’ gulped Percy. ‘Dad wanted nothing to do with it,’ Percy said not wanting to implicate his mother even if she was all for killing Harry.
‘And your mother?’ asked Lord Slytherin.
Percy refused to meet the older adults eyes, ‘I don’t know.’
‘Thank you, Mr Weasley,’ Fudge said. ‘You have been most helpful. In fact I would like to offer you a promotion in exchange for keeping an eye on your family.’
‘Yes,’ Percy said quickly.
Percy knew what people would say if they knew that he was getting a job in return for spying on his family. They would call him a Blood Traitor even more than they already did so because of his great, great great grandfather had refused a marriage contract in favour of a muggleborn and bringing great dishonour on both families. Unfortunately, they would be quite right but honestly Percy didn’t care and would not let his family hold him back anymore.
‘The Junior Undersecretary position has recently been vacated,’ the Minister said. ‘The previous Junior Undersecretary has just recently gone on maternity leave.’
‘Thank you, sir,’ Percy said quickly.
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Bill knocked on his supervisor’s office door. After last night’s meeting Bill had returned to his Egyptian apartment. Initially after hearing of Voldemort’s return he had planned to transfer to London to protect his family but after hearing what Dumbledore and his mother were planning for Harry Bill had decided to remain in Cairo which he would have to explain to his supervisor.
Bill entered Gmor Greatrant’s office who was the Senior Manager of the Egypt branch of Gringotts much due to his abilities in goblin politics. Gmor gave Bill a suspicious look that all the goblins had been giving him recently. Bill hadn’t thought much of it because goblins were naturally suspicious but now he suspected it was due to Dumbledore’s embezzlement.
Percy had told Bill and Charlie that Harry had accused Dumbledore of paying people to be friends with him amongst other things. That put at the very least Ron in the frame for accepting stolen money and possibly drugging or conspiring to drug Harry. If the goblins suspected Bill’s family of knowingly taking embezzled money which was the most heinous crime in Muggle culture they would naturally suspect Bill as well.
After everything that happened Bill like Percy had decided the best way to avoid suspicion was to come clean with his superiors. Bill knew that he was going to have to pull away from his family if he was going to avoid the huge scandal to come. If he was right at least his younger brother had stolen from the Heir of several noble houses who in just over two years would be the Lord of about half of the houses he was entitled to.
‘Greatrant,’ Bill said knowing goblins hated human honorifics. ‘Can I talk to you?’
‘Is this about your transfer to London?’ asked the goblin.
‘No,’ Bill replied. ‘Dumbledore.’
The goblin looked up sharply, ‘sit.’
Bill took the seat opposite to his boss, ‘he called a meeting of the Order of the Phoenix. The old group that fought against He Who Must Not Be Named. He wanted me to convince you to stay neutral.’
‘We do not get involved in Wizarding Wars,’ the goblin said coolly.
‘I know,’ Bill said quickly. ‘But after I heard about the embezzlement I confronted Professor Dumbledore about it. He neither denied it nor confirmed it. Then he started planning to kill Ha- Heir Slytherin.
‘I don’t know whether Lord Slytherin acquired a fake identity or not but I do know that Dumbledore has been embezzling from Harry. I cannot be involved with Dumbledore if this is proved to be the case so I hope if I put enough distance between us not to be involved,’ Bill said quickly. ‘Especially if my family were involved in some way.’
‘Cursebreaker Weasley,’ Greatrant said. ‘The king is personally investigating the embezzlement. He has found evidence that your mother, youngest brother and sister were knowingly embezzling and drugging Heir Slytherin. That your sister had plans to commit line theft with your mother’s help.
‘The King has questioned me personally on your character,’ Greatrant said darkly. ‘I assured him that you were a reliable, intelligent, hardworking employee. However, until you were cleared I could not employ you in any sensitive work nor give you the promotion.’
Bill thought this cleared a lot up of things that happened over the last few months. Recently he’d been reduced to either cataloguing non-cursed, non-valuable items found and had only been involved in Curse Breaking places that were known to have already have been raided. Usually the wards were already down and the tombs plundered. For someone of his talents it was a huge waist of his talents.
Then back in February there had been a Lead Curse Breaker opening which Bill had thought he was a shoe in to get. However, much to everyone’s surprise American wizard Alex Beck had got it instead much to his surprise as anyone else's. Bill had been incredibly disappointed which now knowing his family’s thieving ways had caused this made him feel even angrier at his greedy, controlling, harpy of a mother.
‘I swear on my life and magic that I had nothing to do with the embezzlement of Heir Hadrian Slytherin aka Harry Potter’s vaults. I would be under willing to undergo questioning under vertiserum,’ Bill said quickly. ‘Hell I would be willing to be bloody Legimised!’
Greatrant nodded, ‘I suspected as much. You are not the type to seek riches nor follow blindly, without questioning but procedure is procedure. I will speak to the King tonight about what the next steps are.’
‘I understand,’ Bill said. ‘When do you think my questioning will occur?’
‘Given the importance of what has happened I’d say no more than forty-eight hours,’ Greatrant replied.
Bill felt relieved to know that he would not have to wait around for much longer because he could not bear it if his bloody family caused him to miss out on another opportunity. There was still the question of what to do about his family. Bill now realised from the suspicion he was under that physical distance was just not enough to escape his family’s fallen reputation.
In fact Bill suspected the only way to escape his family’s shameful actions from causing him more problems in the future was to disown himself. A thought that was becoming more and more appealing as time went on as much as Bill wished that were not the case. Firstly, he had to meet up with Percy and Charlie for lunch in London where they wanted to discuss how meeting with their employees went.
0000000000000
Bill was the first of the Weasley brothers to arrive at the Muggle café where they hoped to talk without any nosey reporter publishing it as the latest story in the charges that Lord Slytherin was mounting against Dumbledore and the Weasleys. Bill had told Charlie and Percy about his meeting at the Ministry. Percy had just explained to them what had happened at the Ministry.
‘So you really don’t think it was He Who Must Not Be Named,’ Bill said.
Percy shook his head, ‘no. He was human. Nothing like the stories of him are. Plus he seemed to really care about Harry. I doubt that You Know Who could even fake caring about anyone but himself.’
‘Yes, but all we’ve got to go on his stories,’ Bill said gravely. ‘Trust me I know enough magical history to know that the winners write history. Dumbledore won the war so it was his version of events that recorded.’
‘What are you saying?’ demanded Percy. ‘That He Who Must Named is Harry’s father and back.’
‘No, of course not,’ Bill said quickly. ‘That even Dark wizards can love. Not that Dark wizards can’ be good. Trust me I have friends who are Dark.’
‘What?’ demanded Percy at half a yell.
‘It’s not that bad,’ Bill rolled his eyes. ‘Look not every country is like Britain where all non-Light magic is heralded as evil and banned. In most other countries it is fairly well balanced. Hell both Egypt and Romania are predominantly Dark countries.
‘Yet in Britain because there’s a few evil wizards who happen to be Dark it is feared and banned. I’m not saying You Know Who is good,’ Bill snorted. ‘All I’m saying is if Lord Slytherin is You Know Who he can still love his son.’
‘If he was back wouldn’t we know about it,’ Percy said desperately. ‘Wouldn’t the killing begin again?’
Bill shook his head, ‘this is why Hogwarts needs a better history teacher. Look at the beginning there was not many deaths. There were a few that were always attributed to natural causes, accidents or someone else. Usually these people were people who either were causing trouble for the Dark or they held a position which when they died would allow a Death Eater to take their place.
‘It was not until the end of 1979 did the wholesale slaughter of Muggles, Muggleborns and anyone who dared to stand against He Who Must Not Be Named. Coincidentally that’s the same time Harry was conceived. The same time that James apparently fled to Dumbledore for protection,’ Bill said.
‘So you think he knew?’ asked Charlie.
Bill shook his head, ‘if You Know Who was Harry’s father and knew then he wouldn’t have tried to kill Harry all those years ago. But his lover leaving him, maybe.’
‘You think James Potter was willingly with He Who Must Not Be Named – romantically?’ demanded Charlie. ‘Who would want to be with him?’
‘Of course not,’ Bill said with a smile. ‘The Dark Lord could never be Harry’s father but if he was it puts a whole new perspective on the war. Look this is not about Harry’s parentage. This is about what we’re going to do. Already I’m under suspicion and Percy’s been asked to spy on mum and dad for the Ministry. If things continue down this path we’ll all be hit by the shit storm that Dumbledore has caused.’
‘What can we do?’ asked Percy.
Bill frowned, ‘I fear that the only way to get out from the mess that Dumbledore and mum has brought upon us is to disown ourselves from the Weasley House and start a new House.’
‘We can’t!’ Charlie said sharply. ‘What about Fred, George, Ron, Ginny. It would destroy Mum!’
‘This is the same woman who is plotting a fourteen year old boy’s murder and has been stealing from him since he was in the crib,’ Bill said coldly. ‘Mum dug her own grave. And from what I’ve read Ron and Ginny are just as bad. The ones I worry about are Fred, George and Dad. I can’t believe they could be in on this.’
‘Let’s wait to find out the truth before we take drastic action,’ Percy suggested diplomatically.
Bill nodded, ‘Fred and George will be out of Hogwarts in a week and a half. We’ll talk to them then. First we have to survive mum’s reaction to your promotion and me refusing to come back.’
Charlie grimaced, ‘glad I’m staying in Romania. Mum’s going to be a nightmare.’
Bill gave Percy a worried look knowing that his younger brother had never really disappointed there mother. Bill knew that Percy had no idea how to handle mum going off on him as he was usually the one agreeing with their mother. Now he was getting a taste of what their mother was like when she didn’t get her own way and was the one to actually betray the Order Percy was going to go through hell.
‘I wouldn’t blame you if you went to stay in the Leaky Cauldron for a few days,’ Charlie muttered.
As Bill left knowing his lunch hour was coming to an end Bill wished that it was not the case that Percy looked like he was really considering it. If Percy did end up fleeing the Burrow for Diagon Alley that would be the third brother in a row that Mum had pushed away. Given how Mum treated Fred and George it would be likely in a few years that only Ron and Ginny would want to remain in contact with their mother.