Who: Percy, Bill, Remus Where: Remus' flat What: Percy tells Remus his suspicions about Umbridge, and confirms that he's right about the Order's existence When: SEPTEMBER 21st Rating: G-PG Notes: Sorry for the backdated log. For some reason I can't find this posted anywhere, so I figured better late than never.
After they'd been invited into Remus's flat and passed formalities and idle conversation, Bill grew serious. "Remus, Percy came to Charlie and I this week with suspicions that Dolores Umbridge is at least partly responsible for the attack on the Minister that put Dad into the hospital most recently." He looked at his brother, then back to Remus. "I know what Charlie and I can do, but I'm afraid it won't be enough. I hoped you could hear him out."
It was a sign of great brotherly love for Bill to be taking Percy to see Remus, despite everything. Percy was still his brother and even if he was bloody annoying half the time, Bill still loved him.
"Of course. Every little thing could be important." Remus turned to Percy as well, with the air of quiet listening he was so good at.
Percy sat back in his chair, his back still ramrod straight, and looked Remus over. He had liked the man as a professor, and he was personable, but he really wasn't sure why his brothers felt like he could help in this matter. He wasn't about to go spreading unsubstantiated rumors around to just anyone. "I think I'd like to know, first, why it is my brothers think you can help with this, and need this information - which, by the way, they could have easily given you themselves."
Bill cleared his throat and seemed to think hard for a moment. "I have no doubts that Percy can be trusted," he said to Remus, "And he already seems to have figured it partly out..." Bill hoped Remus would be able to explain it.
"If you mean that I've figured out that The Order of the Phoenix has been reformed, yes, I have," Percy interrupted, keeping his face emotionless, though inside he was smug as all hell.
"Well done, Percy," Remus said, quietly. "And I am one of its members, asked to help oversee the Order by its former leader. Is that enough?"
He was right? He'd been fairly sure, after the comment in the journals yesterday, but this was absolute confirmation. Percy's shoulders relaxed a little and he looked to his brother very briefly before looking back to address Remus. "Alright, then." With a quick nod he began listing off all the information he'd given Bill and Charlie last week - his suspicions, the memo from Davis...all of it. "None of this is solid proof," he pointed out. "And I'm not accusing her of anything, but it certainly made me concerned, and my gut reaction was that someone needed to be told - someone who had the resources to use the information."
"Charlie and I have poked around, but we haven't found much yet. We need more sets of eyes." Bill sat back and looked to Remus.
Remus listened thoughtfully, though he reserved comment when Percy had finished, simply nodding to acknowledge both of them. He needed to mull over things like this before responding, to look at their options before he suggested any particular one. "Can I get either of you anything? Something to drink, perhaps?"
"Tea would be alright. Or a bit of that firewhiskey," Bill said.
"Thank you, but I really don't have the time," Percy replied politely. "Work is very busy, with all the attacks."
"I appreciate that you took the time to come and tell me this, then." Remus offered a handshake as he stood to fetch drinks. "It's the kind of thing best heard from the source."
Bill nodded, giving a small smile to Percy in support. When Remus turned to prepare the drinks, he leaned in. "Don't worry, Perce."
Percy shook Remus's hand and then watched him move off to get the drinks. "Don't worry? I'm a Ministry employee, Bill, and mentioning a fear to my brothers is one thing; going to the head of a secret organization is quite another."
"But think, Mum and Dad trust Remus and the others with their lives. They wouldn't betray us." Bill put a hand on Percy's shoulder briefly. "They're the only ones that can help us."
Remus poured two glasses of the firewhiskey, then shrugged and brought an empty and the bottle too, in case Percy should change his mind.
"Like Severus Snape wouldn't ever betray Professor Dumbledore?" Percy asked in a hushed tone. "It's bad enough you've all been a part of this - and I know you have - and not told me, but then you blindside me like this? Have you considered the fact that I might be watched? It wouldn't be the first time, you know, and with a leak close to the Minister they'll be wondering if it's me."
"Percy, calm down. Severus Snape betrayed us all, and blindsided us. But Remus is one of the most trustworthy people I know."
Remus returned then, juggling glasses. "There you are, Bill. Sure you can't join us, Percy?" He held up the empty, raising his eyebrows.
"Thank you, no. It will be a long night again, and I don't dare add alcohol to the mix." He reached his fingers under his glasses to rub his eyes and then righted the frames again.
Bill watched his brother, and lifted his glass. "Well, thanks for coming, at least. And for the information. Don't work yourself to death- you have a family to miss you."
"Take care, Percy," Remus added, resisting the urge to take a long draught of firewhiskey after he said it. They should all take care, and none of them were going to, he had a sneaking suspicion.
Percy gave a sad little laugh before he could stop himself, but nodded to try to cover it and stood. "I just wanted to help," he replied and turned for the door, but paused, looking back at them. "Before I go...does the whole family know about the Order? Was I the only one who wasn't told?"
Bill looked guilty. He cleared his throat and resisted the urge to look away. "Yes," he said honestly, not wanting to lie, "Though Fred, George, Ron and Ginny only found out this time around."
Ginny. His baby sister was told, and he wasn't. Bloody brilliant. He wouldn't let it show on his face just how much that hurt him. "And Harry too, I suspect?"
Bill glanced to Remus.
Remus was unapologetic. "Yes, these things rather intimately concern Harry, don't you think?"
"Of course, he is the Chosen One, after all," Percy said stiffly. "There shouldn't be any wonder I chose work over family," he added, mostly to Bill. "They may not have always known my name, but at least they trusted me." Shaking his head he realized there wasn't anything else to say, and disapparated.
Bill swallowed an sighed, running a hand through his hair. "That went... ah, better than I had expected, I suppose."
Remus shook his head, sighing. "I suspect he'll come around, little by little. I am glad he was willing to come at all."
He nodded. "So am I. I kind of sprang it on him, though. He didn't have much time to object."
"Well, he could have refused to tell me anything." Remus drummed his fingers on his glass. "I think he still doesn't really understand what a betrayal it was to us, siding with the Ministry against Harry. I don't think he sees how vital Harry will be, in this war." He sighed again. "Maybe none of us do."
"I hope I do," Bill offered, and drank his tea. "But there might be parts of the war I am not even considering." He sat up, and pushed his chair back. "I need to see Fleur tonight. Let me know when the Order meeting comes up."
Remus nodded. "Keep safe, Bill."
"You do the same." He rested his hand on Remus's shoulder for a moment. "Give Tonks my regards." With that, he stepped back, nodded to Remus, and disapparated.