Fudge folded his hands on the desk and leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied Percy. "I understand the past month has been… difficult," he began, his voice even and steady. Percy barely forced out a nod. Difficult didn't even begin to cover it. "Crouch's situation was… unexpected, and the fallout has affected everyone, whether directly or not."
Percy nodded again, though he could hardly find the words. The whole situation with Crouch had been a mess. Rumors were flying left and right, but no one had been able to piece the full story together. All Percy knew was that it had left the Ministry in disarray, and everyone was scrambling to pick up the pieces.
Before Percy could find his voice, Fudge leaned forward, steepling his hands in front of his face. His eyes were shrewd but calm. "Percy," he said, as if weighing each word carefully, "I want you to know that your work has not gone unnoticed. Your loyalty, your dedication to detail… It's been exemplary."
Percy's breath caught in his throat. Praise? Was he hearing that right? For a split second, he thought maybe he'd misheard. He had expected this meeting to be a reprimand, some kind of punishment, but this was something else entirely. Was Fudge trying to soften him up before delivering a bigger blow? Or had Percy really done something right?
Fudge's voice broke through his thoughts. "And because of that," he continued, "I want to offer you a promotion, Percy. Junior Assistant to the Minister." The words landed like a bombshell. "The role comes with a great deal of responsibility, and of course, the trust of the Ministry."
Percy's mind went blank. Junior Assistant to the Minister. The role everyone coveted. The position that could make or break a career. In a split second, the offer felt both exhilarating and terrifying. Was this a dream? Was he really being offered this? Was he even ready for something like this?
Fudge leaned back again, his eyes calculating, like he was watching Percy for some sign of how he would react. "I understand this is a big decision, Percy. Take your time to think about it, of course. But I trust you'll recognize that this position comes with more than just a title. It's an opportunity—one that reflects your loyalty to the Ministry