Uh…" Percy faltered, the word caught in his throat. His siblings were looking at him now, their eyes curious, almost expectant. His mother's lips tightened, sensing something was off. The warmth of the room, the comfort of family, suddenly felt like it was closing in on him.
He drew a deep breath. He had to do this. He had made his decision, and there was no turning back. No matter how much it hurt.
"I… I have an announcement to make," Percy said, his voice shaky but determined.
Arthur's head snapped up, his spectacles perched precariously on the end of his nose. "An announcement, Percy? Well, this sounds serious. Go on, then." He set his glasses down on the table, an expectant look on his face.
Percy felt his throat tighten. Every eye was on him now. He could feel the weight of their attention, the hopes they had for him. He had always tried to make them proud, tried to be the good son, the good student, the good worker. But now, as the words left his mouth, it felt like everything was unraveling.
"I… I have been promoted." He paused, feeling the weight of the words settle in his chest. "I am now Junior Assistant to the Minister of Magic."
The room froze. The sizzling of the chicken in the oven, the murmurs of conversation, the clink of silverware—all of it stopped. Fred and George exchanged quick, puzzled glances. Ron's mouth hung open slightly. Ginny blinked, her wide eyes full of confusion. Molly's hands hovered over the bowl of carrots, then dropped to the table with a soft thud. Her face shifted from pride to something else—apprehension, perhaps, or concern. Arthur's smile was cautious, unsure, as though he could see the gleam of ambition but not the shadow of something darker behind it.