In Percy's eyes, working for the Ministry of Magic had always been the pinnacle of wizarding society—noble in both status and influence. The Ministry controlled every facet of the wizarding world, didn't it? The salary, the prestige, the power—nobody could defy the Ministry.
But today, everything was different.
The Ministry had lost.
That boy, no older than his youngest brother, had actually taken the Ministry to court. And, more shockingly, he had won. From the gleeful words of his father, Percy learned that Harry's victory wasn't even due to Dumbledore's staunch protection. No, the majority of the Wizengamot had simply found him not guilty.
No fanfare, no suspense—just a calm walk in and a calm walk out, as if Harry had gone on a casual stroll.
Compared to Mr. Weasley, Fred, George, and Ron, who were far more excited about this new magic Harry had introduced, Percy found himself fixated on the legal and procedural implications. His father, a Ministry employee and even a department head, seemed utterly indifferent to the Ministry's rules and authority. Just moments ago, he had been loudly mocking the Minister himself, as if he were an outsider with no stake in it.
For some reason, Percy's mind drifted to that night when Harry had whispered something to him—something only he could hear: "Because I'm strong."
Percy had always known Harry was strong. He'd attended the first Shamanic Circle class, after all, and he was certain those four towering elemental giants were beyond any ordinary wizard's ability to handle. But according to his father, Harry hadn't summoned those elementals today. And yet, he still won.
Why?
Percy's head was a mess, his thoughts tangled. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't make sense of it, and the confusion consumed him.
"I have something I'd like to say, Harry," Percy finally said quietly.
He needed answers.
"...Alright," Harry replied after a brief pause.
After shooing away the twins, who were trying to eavesdrop, Harry and Percy stepped out into the garden.
"First, I should congratulate you on your victory, Harry," Percy said solemnly as they sat on a bench. "I must say, it's rare for someone to sue a Ministry department and actually win. I had a friend look into it, and, surprisingly, there's no record of anything like it."
"Friend?" Harry echoed. "Penelope?"
"Er, never mind that," Percy said, his face flushing slightly as he turned his head. "That's not the point."
"Fine, if you don't want to talk about it," Harry said with a shrug. "Of course the Ministry wouldn't keep records of their own embarrassments. Especially when it comes to ordinary wizards, they'd rather just silence them."
"...But you're not an ordinary wizard," Percy said, feeling like he was grasping at something.
"Exactly. So?" Harry countered. "What do you want to know?"
"I—I just keep thinking about what you said that day. About being strong," Percy said after a moment's hesitation. "You know, Harry, unlike other wizards, I've seen you summon those elementals—giants taller than towers."
"And?" Harry said, sensing where this was going. "You thought I'd summon elementals in the Wizengamot's courtroom? Give the members and the Ministry a bit of a scare?"
"W-Well, isn't that what you meant?" Percy stammered. "Being strong—nobody can defeat you, right?"
"Of course not," Harry said patiently. "If I did that, tomorrow's front page of The Daily Prophet wouldn't be 'Harry Potter Invents New Magic.' It'd be 'Harry Potter Battles Albus Dumbledore.'"
Percy let out a surprised laugh, but it quickly faded as he realized Harry was serious.
"Mr. Weasley probably told you already," Harry continued. "Dumbledore wasn't up there judging as a member of the Wizengamot this time. He stood below, as my defender. You're different, Percy. You're curious about these things, so I'll tell you straight."
"Dumbledore became my defender because he was afraid of exactly that scenario," Harry said calmly, having seen through Dumbledore's intentions from the start. "He didn't want me clashing with the Wizengamot or the Ministry and starting a fight. That's all. He knows I'm capable of it."
Percy's eyes widened as he stared at Harry.
"Y-You mean—" Percy stuttered.
"I know what you're thinking," Harry interrupted. "But Dumbledore's overthinking it."
"I could attack the Wizengamot. I could attack the Ministry and reduce it to rubble. I could do all of that. And then what?"
"Then?" Percy held his breath, his mind racing with images of the chaos Harry described. "Then… Professor Dumbledore wouldn't just stand by, would he?"
"Then it's fighting, killing—like the days when Voldemort ran rampant," Harry said. "Some would follow me. Others would stand against me and fight to the end. More fighting, more killing, until I defeated Dumbledore, until no one dared challenge me anymore."
At the mention of Voldemort's name, Percy flinched. And when Harry spoke of killing Dumbledore, his face was a mask of horror.
"Do you remember what I said in the first Shamanic Circle class? My dream?" Harry asked suddenly.
"Your dream…" Percy thought back. "To spread the way of the shaman. To awaken the elements."
"Exactly. That's what I want," Harry said, his voice steady. "Voldemort craved a kingdom ruled by him, so he chased power. I'm different."
"I'm not a lunatic. I'm not some bloodthirsty maniac who'd threaten or kill someone just because they questioned me or didn't show me enough respect," Harry said with a wry smile. "That's madness."
"If I used raw power to crush them today, just because they doubted me or weren't friendly enough, they'd fight back. The Wizengamot and the Ministry don't take kindly to threats. If I destroyed them, word would spread—wizards are good at escaping, after all. Then I'd face an endless stream of enemies. I'd have to subdue them or kill them."
"Even against Voldemort's reign of terror, people still stood up to fight him. No matter how strong I am, someone will always stand in my way, ready to take down the next Dark Lord."
"If it came to that, I'd have to keep killing. The wizarding world's order would collapse. The magical world might be exposed to Muggle eyes before we're ready. For ordinary wizards, a society in chaos means despair—bandits, lawlessness, lives at risk. But most importantly, then what?"
Percy was speechless.
"Even if I silenced every dissenting voice, what would I gain?" Harry said with a sigh. "False loyalty from those pretending to obey? Revenge-seekers waiting for their chance? The problem of how wizards and Muggles would coexist after exposure?"
"Rebuilding after a war? How would wizarding society recover and function? Transportation? Justice? People's livelihoods? The future?"
"No matter how strong I am, I still need to eat," Harry continued. "I find joy in harmony and beauty. I'm happy when justice prevails, when kindness is rewarded. I love good food, new sights, novel things—and all of that requires people to build. I can't do it alone, just like I can't awaken the elements alone."
"And most importantly, Percy, I'm a hero," Harry said firmly. "Not a killer. Not some schemer bent on overturning the world. I'm a hero—meant to stand in front of everyone, to protect them, to lead them forward."
"So I won't do what you or Dumbledore might imagine—destroy the Ministry or the Wizengamot. I know they have their purpose, flaws and all. Even when showing them something as unfamiliar as elemental magic, I made sure to present it as harmless, to keep them from feeling threatened or hostile."
Harry's voice was light and clear as he spoke.
"I'm just an ordinary tauren, after all. No grand ambitions."
The midday sun grew hotter, casting a bright glow over the flowers and plants before them, making them shimmer.
After a long silence, Percy mumbled, "I thought when you said 'strong,' you meant… like You-Know-Who. He was strong, wasn't he? Nobody dared defy him or disrespect him. He did whatever he wanted."
"And now he's gone," Harry said calmly. "Nobody is immortal. Nobody is invincible forever."
"It's about your heart, Percy—inner strength," Harry said, tapping Percy's chest lightly. "You need to know what matters most to you. Set your goals clearly. Don't let others' flattery or criticism sway you. Don't lose control over temporary gains or losses."
Despite being younger than Percy, Harry spoke like a seasoned elder imparting life's wisdom, and Percy listened intently, showing no trace of impatience.
"Gold is always gold, even when covered in mud—it doesn't turn to scrap iron. A truly strong person is strong no matter the circumstances. Bluster only reveals weakness," Harry said, patting Percy's shoulder. "Remember: strength inside and out."
"…Like Fudge," Percy said after a moment, dazed. "He tried to seem stronger, like a real Minister of Magic—a balloon constantly inflating. But today, that balloon burst."
"You're a clever man, Percy," Harry said. "You're Professor McGonagall's star student. Even Hermione can't outshine you in some areas. I always knew you'd figure this out eventually. It just takes time and experience."
"When you're truly strong, even if you sit still, what's yours will come to you," Harry said with a playful grin. "Like Dumbledore. You know he's turned down the Minister's post multiple times, right? What Fudge would kill for is worth less to him than a slice of cake."
Percy couldn't help but laugh.
"That's Professor Dumbledore, alright," Percy said. Growing up on tales of Dumbledore, he knew the living legend better than most.
"Likewise, even if I do nothing here, Dumbledore will secure the status my strength deserves," Harry said seriously. "It was Dumbledore who vouched for elemental magic, convincing those old wizards it's real. He persuaded the Wizengamot."
"And as the way of the shaman spreads, more people will stand by me, helping me go higher and farther. Do you understand?" Harry asked.
"Yeah," Percy said, exhaling deeply. "When you're strong enough, what's yours will come to you—power, status, everything."
"…You're ambitious, Percy," Harry said, giving him a knowing look. "And very clever. Just never forget what truly matters to you. Never lose sight of your original purpose."
At that, Harry almost laughed. He hadn't expected to pass on the same advice Dumbledore had given him just before they entered. But it fit, didn't it?
Harry could see the ambition burning in Percy's eyes. The boy craved power and status. Harry had seen that look in many others before.
But that didn't make Percy bad. He just wanted to be better. Even Hermione dreamed of being Minister for Magic. Now she just had a rival—hopefully, they wouldn't clash too fiercely in the future.
"I will, Harry," Percy said through gritted teeth. "I will. But if I ever go astray, I hope you'll knock some sense into me."
"You sure?"
"Absolutely."
"Alright," Harry said with a shrug. "Just watch out—my fists are heavy."
"Er, maybe go easy on me," Percy said, choking a bit before laughing. "You know, after hearing you that day, my head's been a mess. I asked around, looked into a lot of things."
"And?"
"I found out the Ministry was only established about three hundred years ago," Percy said, recalling. "Before that, wizarding society only had the Wizards' Council. But the Council didn't control every aspect of wizards' lives like the Ministry does. They only stepped in for major issues that threatened wizardkind's survival."
"It was the Statute of Secrecy," Percy continued, chuckling softly. "It separated the magical and Muggle worlds completely. It created the need for a central authority to enforce laws and protect wizarding society. You know, Harry, I used to think the Statute was to protect Muggles."
He let out a derisive snort.
Harry stayed silent, sensing Percy just needed to vent.
"…It's strange, isn't it?" Percy said, staring blankly. "To Professor Dumbledore, the Ministry's just a thing that's been around for less than two hundred years. To wizards older than him, its creation feels like yesterday. And for someone like Nicolas Flamel, who's lived over six hundred years, the Ministry didn't even exist in his prime."
Percy fell silent, lost in thought.
"Ah! Sorry, Harry, I zoned out," Percy said suddenly, snapping back to reality. "I'm rambling. What I mean is, the Ministry isn't as authoritative as I thought. It's not some ancient institution, and there's so much it can't control."
"So?" Harry raised an eyebrow. "You're not planning something dangerous, are you?"
"Of course not," Percy said, shaking his head. "I'll keep studying, make myself a powerful wizard. I don't dare say I'll be as strong as Professor Dumbledore or you, but I won't let myself become a joke like Fudge."
"Playing with laws and rules just makes you a laughingstock. For us wizards, magical strength is the most important, fundamental thing," Percy said firmly. "I've made up my mind. Thank you, Harry. I'm going to be a Minister for Magic who's worthy of the title."
"Do what you want," Harry said with a shrug. "Just a friendly reminder: take care of your family."
"Of course I will."
"And your girlfriend, Penelope."
"Oh, shut up, Harry!" Percy's calm, resolute demeanor vanished as his face turned redder than his hair. "You can't just—!"
"Hahahahaha!"
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