"Come in—"
The steady, calm voice from behind the tightly closed door caused the three young wizards, guilty as thieves caught mid-heist to simultaneously take a deep, cold breath.
Hermione turned to give Harry and Ron a sharp warning look, silently reminding them not to forget the cover story they'd just hastily coordinated moments ago in the corridor. Then her hand pressed down firmly on the door handle.
"Oh, it's you three!?"
The person expressing surprise wasn't Professor Watson, as they'd expected, but Percy, who was sitting rigidly on the sofa opposite Professor Watson's desk.
He looked up at their entrance with shock across his face. However, for some reason, Percy's face was flushed slightly red. "Why are you here?"
"That's a question we should be asking you, actually—"
Long-standing brotherly dynamics and years of sibling rivalry made Ron reflexively snap back without thinking, his tone was automatically defensive and challenging.
But catching Hermione's narrowed-eye glare from the corner of his vision, Ron immediately changed his expression, rearranging his expression to put on an unconvincing look of innocent surprise.
"Oh Percy, ahem, what a shock to see you here!" Ron's voice was insincerely bright, overcompensating. "Shouldn't you be at work at the Ministry right now? Buried under 'important' paperwork? Why would you come all the way to Hogwarts during working hours?"
The performance was terrible, and obviously fake.
Even Harry, who was generally oblivious to social intricacies, could tell that Professor Watson whose mouth was curling into an inexplicable smile had definitely guessed exactly what the three of them had really come to his office to find out.
Percy really didn't want to be interrupted while discussing such delicate matters with Professor Watson, especially not by his irritating younger brother and his friends. But Ron's question did leave him somewhat speechless, caught between conflicting impulses.
"That's none of your business, Ron!!"
After hemming and hawing for what felt like ages, opening and closing his mouth several times without producing words, Percy finally said evasively, though his tone was quite stern and authoritative.
"You should be friendlier toward your own brother, Percy. Family should support each other, shouldn't they?"
Bryan said softly in gentle reproach. He smoothly put an end to the gradually escalating confrontation between the brothers before it could develop into a full argument. Then he turned his attention and looked toward Hermione, who was clearly leading this little group, standing slightly in front of the boys, nervously clenching her fists at her sides.
"I believe that you've come to find me rather than go enjoy what I'm sure is a delicious lunch in the Great Hall because you have something genuinely important to discuss with me, correct?"
"Oh, yes, Professor Watson—"
Hermione pressed her lips together and nodded quickly.
"Harry has something—something that happened recently, we thought you might need to know about it urgently, but Percy..."
She glanced at Ron's brother with hesitation.
"We can wait outside in the corridor for a while if you're not finished. We don't mean to interrupt important Ministry business—"
She looked toward Percy with questioning politeness.
"What do you think, Percy?"
Bryan also looked at Percy with interest, waiting to see how he'd respond.
"My lunch seems destined to be ruined regardless—I've accepted that fate."
Bryan's tone was even slightly humorous.
"If what you want to discuss with me involves confidential matters, Percy, then perhaps it would be better to let Harry, Ron, and Hermione go have their lunch first. They can come back afterward. They can't start their afternoon studies on completely empty stomachs."
Percy certainly preferred a quiet, private conversation environment but just as he was about to nod and accept Professor Watson's suggestion with relief, something suddenly occurred to him. He stopped mid-nod, his head frozen at an awkward angle.
Hesitating, Percy glanced at Harry then suddenly changed his mind with a decision.
"Oh, what I have to say isn't really that important or particularly confidential, Professor," Percy said. "Nothing that requires absolute privacy. The three of them can stay if you don't mind."
Hermione's eyebrows shot up. That was unexpected.
"Then please, all of you, sit down and make yourselves comfortable—"
Bryan drew his wand with a motion and pulled three soft chairs seemingly from thin air. He smiled warmly at the three delighted youngsters. Then he waved his wand again with another gesture, and the copper kettle sitting on the stone mantelpiece tilted its body at an incredible angle and began making tea, pouring steaming water into waiting cups.
Simultaneously, a drawer at the bottom of the room's bookshelf automatically slid open with a soft scraping sound, and a box of cookies flew out smoothly, landing gently on the table between them.
"We'd better not try to have serious discussions on empty stomachs."
Bryan settled back in his chair comfortably, looking completely at ease.
"Hunger interferes with our ability to think sharply and make good decisions. Come now, ladies and gentleman, don't be shy, please try my favorite cookies. A kind fan sent them to me just last week—they're sugar-free, so they won't harm our teeth."
Hermione was dazed for a moment, staring at the cookies. When she came to her senses and regained her focus, she found both Harry and Ron discreetly watching her with knowing looks and barely suppressed grins. She knew immediately what they were thinking—remembering her fan letter debacle.
She glared viciously at the two of them, her eyes promising retribution, silently indicating that these particular cookies had absolutely nothing to do with her, thank you very much, stop looking at her like that.
Of course, apart from Bryan himself, who seemed genuinely relaxed and prepared to enjoy his snack, neither Percy nor the three youngsters were in any mood whatsoever to enjoy his collection of treats.
After eating a single biscuit, and taking a small sip of the hot tea, Bryan let out a comfortable, satisfied sigh.
"So then, Percy—"
His tone shifted, becoming more businesslike while remaining friendly.
"You've put aside your busy work schedule to come all the way to Hogwarts to find me. Surely, it's not just for simple pleasantries and to reminisce fondly about our former teacher-student relationship, is it? Pleasant as that would be. What particular matter has brought you all this way?"
Bryan asked with an encouraging smile, giving Percy the opening to begin.
Harry and the other two couldn't help but smile slightly at Professor Watson's humorous phrasing. But immediately they all perked up their ears attentively, watching Percy intently with undisguised curiosity, especially Harry, whose eyes sparkled with keen interest behind his glasses.
Whether this was about the Triwizard Tournament's mysterious third task or matters somehow related to Voldemort, he was extremely interested—especially anything even vaguely related to Voldemort.
With the Daily Prophet following the Ministry's orders to whitewash everything that happened, printing obvious propaganda, and both Sirius and Hagrid suddenly becoming frustratingly mysterious and secretive, he could hardly hear any real information about Voldemort anymore.
It was infuriating.
"Oh, actually it's not that busy at the moment—"
Percy gritted his teeth and muttered.
Somehow, meeting Professor Watson's gentle gaze, Percy couldn't recall even a single one of the prepared phrases he'd stayed up nearly all night at home anxiously thinking of, rehearsing in his mirror. His mind had gone completely blank.
But since he was already sitting here in Professor Watson's office, having come all this way, he could only steel himself and push forward.
"Well, it's like this, Professor—"
Percy's voice was just a whisper. He was desperately trying to prepare himself up internally, giving himself mental pep talks, but his voice came out as weak and uncertain. His eyes flickered nervously, unable to maintain steady eye contact.
"The Ministry has encountered—encountered... well, I'm sure you know, probably, so I volunteered... if you—if you would just agree—"
He trailed off miserably, unable to complete a clear sentence.
"If you don't explain things clearly and completely, Percy—"
Bryan said with a laugh.
"Then I'm afraid there's nothing I can agree to. I need to understand what you're actually asking."
Percy's profound embarrassment and discomfort left Harry, Ron, and Hermione who had successfully achieved their real goal of 'accidentally' eavesdropping torn between laughter and sympathetic tears.
Ron especially found himself experiencing conflicting emotions. At home, Percy had always been held up as the perfect model child by their parents, the standard against which all other Weasley children were measured and inevitably found wanting to be.
When he spoke to Ron or their other siblings, Percy always adopted a superior, condescending air, as if dispensing wisdom from on high.
Whatever Percy was trying and failing so spectacularly to say, just seeing him in such a timid, fumbling state made Ron secretly delighted.
"All right—"
Percy himself knew he looked absolutely ridiculous right now, that he was making a complete fool of himself. With a sudden what-the-hell attitude, throwing caution to the wind, he finally revealed his actual purpose in coming.
"It's about Madam Umbridge, Professor Watson—"
Percy's clenched fists were digging his nails so hard into his palms that he could feel them cutting into his flesh.
"The Ministry—the Minister hopes that Madam Dolores Umbridge can take a position here at Hogwarts. I accidentally learned about this situation, and so, well, because you persuaded Professor Dumbledore to refuse the Ministry's order—I mean, the Minister's friendly suggestion—"
He stumbled over the words, trying to make it sound better than it was.
The Ministry—the Minister of Magic himself wanted to force Dolores Umbridge into a position at Hogwarts?!
Crash!
Hermione shot to her feet with an explosive whoosh. She cast a furious look at Percy, her eyes were blazing with anger. This was almost an instinctive reaction, her body was moving before her mind fully caught up.
But a few seconds later, as her brain processed the full implications, she fully understood exactly why she felt so intensely angry and shocked.
Hermione's sudden violent agitation startled Ron, who was sitting peacefully beside her. He jumped slightly and looked at her in complete amazement, not knowing at all what had gotten into her.
Harry was equally surprised by Hermione's behavior and explosive reaction, but then, being more politically aware than Ron—he keenly realized that Hermione must have immediately seen through exactly why Fudge wanted that disgusting, bigoted witch to enter Hogwarts.
However, in this particular setting, with Percy right there, he couldn't ask her directly for clarification. He could only stare somewhat helplessly at Professor Watson, hoping for guidance, trying to read the situation from his expression—
"Sit down, Hermione. Please."
Professor Watson's voice was remarkably calm, almost gentle, but it carried unmistakable authority.
Hermione's expression still showed unconcealed anger. But meeting Professor Watson's deep, steady gaze, she bit her lip hard, and forced herself to take several deep breaths. Slowly, she lowered herself back down into her chair.
"You just said....."
Bryan's voice remained even. He showed little obvious anger himself. He was feeling genuinely disappointed by this son of the good, decent Weasley family.
Having ambition and the natural desire to advance one's career were actually positive advantages in many contexts—drive and determination were valuable qualities.
But being so thoroughly blinded by the desperate desire for power and recognition that you couldn't even maintain clear, basic rationality, that you'd abandon your principles—that was an extremely foolish move.
"You said you 'accidentally' learned of this matter, and then volunteered?"
Bryan's expression showed neither obvious joy nor anger, only his eyes deepened somewhat, becoming more penetrating, more judging.
"Oh—I—"
Percy immediately lowered his head in shame, unable to maintain eye contact. His neck and ears burned red. He knew this clumsy lie would never fool Professor Watson: he was just trying his luck, hoping maybe it would slide by.
"Actually—well, the truth is—"
Percy's voice was filled with embarrassment and resignation.
"You know I was punished by the Ministry because of Mr. Crouch's death and disappearance situation and sent to the Centaur Liaison Office as punishment. I couldn't stand it there. So—so I begged Dad to help me."
His voice dropped even lower.
"I asked him to come with me to speak with the Minister, to plead my case, to ask the Minister to put in a good word for me, to give me another chance at a real position!"
Percy recounted what had happened in a suffocating voice.
"What do you think about this yourself, Percy?"
After Percy finished explaining the specifics of how he came to Hogwarts, the office fell into silence.
Hermione looked even more furious than before. Harry and Ron, meanwhile, still hadn't quite figured out the full crux of the matter.
To their simpler understanding, it seemed Fudge wanted to find a Defense Against the Dark Arts professor for Hogwarts because the position had been vacant too long, and Professors Dumbledore and Watson weren't satisfied with his particular candidate, so they'd refused.
It seemed reasonable enough. But from Hermione's intense reaction, from Percy's shame, and from Professor Watson's no expression, this matter clearly didn't seem nearly as simple as they'd initially imagined.
"What do I think myself?"
Percy looked up blankly at Professor Watson. But the moment his uncertain gaze met those penetrating purple eyes, his mental defenses crumbled.
"I think it's actually not a bad plan—"
Percy said in a low voice. He was breathing rapidly, and after a moment, summoning his courage, he suddenly raised his head and looked at Harry.
"I know there are some... misunderstandings between the Ministry and Hogwarts right now—"
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