Tweak

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Tweak says, "You love him, don't you?"

Percy Ignatius Weasley (youngestmformev) wrote in pandorarpg,
@ 2012-02-20 23:16:00

Entry tags:

!status: complete, !status: incomplete, ^date: november 17 2003, character: percy weasley, character: zacharias smith

Who: Percy Weasley & Zacharias Smith
What: A little talk - mano-a-mano
Where: WWN Offices
When: November 17 - 1pm
Rating: PG

Percy strolled into the small reception area for the WWN with his usual gait, a small portforlio under his arm, hoping that he would not have much difficulty gaining an audience with a certain Zacharias Smith. After reading through Umbridge's files on the DA, he had several questions that he wasn't quite able to ask his siblings - furthermore, he didn't appreciate the possible repercussions of Smith's revelation on Ron's work at the Ministry, or Ginny's quidditch career, or George's... George-ness.

He stepped up to the desk and gave his name, as well as the name of Zacharias Smith. He hoped the man would not be long, as Percy had important work to get back to at the Ministry.

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youngestmformev
2012-02-21 04:47 am UTC (link)

Percy felt no familiarity at the sight of the young man, but then, most Hufflepuffs hadn't made a sufficient nuissance of themselves back in school to make an impression upon his memory. He nevertheless held his hand out for a proper handshake.

"I hope you don't mind, Mr Smith, but I'm here on personal business rather than profession. Would you perhaps have a moment or two so that we may speak privately?"

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overlooked
2012-02-21 04:57 am UTC (link)

It almost came as a relief that this wasn't any sort of professional business. His interns could live to fight another day - not that he wanted to make them cry, just that this was the sort of thing that meant lots of yelling later. Zacharias glanced at his watch. He did have time that he could spare, even if that meant losing time for lunch, and he was curious as to what sort of personal business that Percy Weasley could have with him.

"Of course, we can head up to my office." It was somewhat lucky that he had access to private office today. Technically that was for the interviews he had scheduled through out the day, but using it off the record for a few minutes wouldn't hurt anyone.

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youngestmformev
2012-02-22 04:44 am UTC (link)

Percy nodded and allowed the young man to escort him to an office where they could speak in private. He took a seat before one could be offered, and to be safe, pulled out his wand to cast a privacy charm around the room, then lifted his case onto his lap to pull out a pair of files.

"I will get right down to the point, Mr. Smith. I am here regarding your words on-air Saturday. As you are no doubt aware, several of my siblings had been in the group you spoke of, one of which you named on the air. I imagine you can understand my concern."

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overlooked
2012-02-22 11:01 pm UTC (link)

Yes, his Loose End that had aired a few times over the weekend. There was even going to be another segment on the DA this evening in response to the Prophet opinion that maybe they should be the ones taking running the DMLE. Zacharias certainly didn't quite agree and that was without even factoring in that he didn't like half of the people in the DA.

"And what exactly are you concerned about?" He said not wanting to say anything more. He didn't know what side Percy was coming down on this on and really didn't know what the man was looking after. At the very least, Zacharias imagined that it would be an actual discussion.

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youngestmformev
2012-02-23 12:13 am UTC (link)

"I have several, but I suppose I shall begin with the simplest yet most concerning aspect. I would first like to know why you named names during your broadcast."

He had worried that his brother's career might suffer because of the accusations. Furthermore, as Hermione was set to begin her work in the Department of Mysteries, a position he had assisted her in achieving, any accusations of her would no doubt be extended to him as well - not that he wasn't concerned for her, as she was an intelligent young woman whom he respected very much, but he knew she could take care of herself. Ron, however, needed someone to watch out for him.

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overlooked
2012-02-23 01:56 am UTC (link)

Zacharias gave Percy a rather pointed look. He was never particularly fond of defending himself, but he wasn't impossible of it. "You are aware that all segments for Loose Ends are opinion pieces, yes?" That was the first place to start - reinforce the fact that it wasn't an unbiased news piece.

"Macmillan, Granger, Goldstein, and your brother, Ron, were named as examples of the point. They are people who hold significant positions within the ministry and yet have ongoing ties to Dumbledore's Army, which is active once more." Zacharias didn't know for sure if they were involved, but he seriously doubted that Justin could organize the thing on his own. And now that he thought of it, the people who had been at Justin's party were mostly former DA people. While they could just have maintained that friendship, there was likely something more happening.

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youngestmformev
2012-02-24 12:47 am UTC (link)

Percy refrained from replying to the comment about the production being an opinion piece. Most of the articles in the Daily Prophet were in essence opinion pieces, but that's what made them capable of so much damage. He had seen personally how it could be used in the right hands to sway public opinion.

"Of course, they were examples in your point about how a group has intended to take matters upon themselves instead of alerting the Ministry to their concerns. Much like you did on Saturday, bringing their names to the public arena instead of coming to the Ministry, something that could cause issues for my brother and Macmillan in the field, possibly even fatal to them if your words have invited opposition to them."

And at the heart of everything, that was what angered Percy the most. The idea that someone had heard Smith's opinion piece and as a result refused an instruction given by Ron at a vital moment, leading to his brother's death.

"However, seeing as you have valid concerns, I am here to listen to them. Give me your suspicions and your evidence, and I will see what I can do... without exploiting it for media attention, and without putting DMLE employees at risk."

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overlooked
2012-02-24 04:57 am UTC (link)

"I believe in a level of transparency. Generally governments or organizations who are in the business of keeping knowledge from the public very rarely do good things." It was not his job to watch out and report valid concerns to the Ministry. He would have oped the Ministry was already aware of what was happening - especially as the group wasn't exactly a secret. Umbridge had found them out and there was a rather public campaign in his last year at school. Still, all that was different than now.

"My largest concern at the moment is in what manner you are visiting me today. Your earlier comments indicated this meeting was a personal matter and given your brother's extra-curricular activities that would make sense. And if that is true than I have little desire to engage in a personal debate about that." If not for the comment about exploit this could have gone a good deal easier. Zacharias didn't believe he was exploiting anything, he voiced an opinion, staff that were not paid by him or even direct colleagues of his chose to air it. "However, if you are indeed here for more professional matters then I suggest you start by posing your first question."

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youngestmformev
2012-02-25 01:51 am UTC (link)

Percy's eyebrows rose. "That is a little naive. All governments keep knowledge of some kind from the public. For example, would it not be immoral of us to release to the public the names of every witch and wizard who has come forward as having a nightmare? Furthermore, all the knowledge and evidence we have on what you claim comes from you. Can you blame any of us for wanting to look up and prove or disprove a claim before releasing it to the public?"

But then, he was speaking to a member of the media. He knew by now how few morals they had, he'd simply hoped that this young man, having been in this group with Ron and the others, may have been better than most of those Percy had met in the past.

"The only question that matters is what evidence you have that this vigilante group is still active."

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overlooked
2012-02-25 02:36 am UTC (link)

"What evidence do you have that they're not?" He shot back almost immediately. It was the same question just on the other end. "Have you thought to ask your brother? Ernie Macmillan? Or any of the others if what I said was true?" So, he was playing a little defensive, but that was how he generally worked.

However, he held up his hand opting to give Percy Weasley something on the off chance he might actually be a reasonable person. "I know they are active because in haste a message to cancel a meeting was not appropriately warded." There was also that Justin's attempts to cover it up where quite pathetic, which for Zacharias only proved his instinct right.

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youngestmformev
2012-02-25 02:59 am UTC (link)

Percy's forehead scrunched in confusion at the young man's fallacy. "Your logic is flawed - you can't prove a negative. If there is no activity, then there is no evidence."

Had Percy said that around any of his siblings, he most likely would have received another face full of mashed parsnips. "And my brother is busy on Ministry business that is far more important that this at the moment." Considering he had yet to hear back on whether or not Ron had found Hermione, there was no doubt where his brother's priorities were. "Besides, I refuse to go to anyone without my facts straight, which is why I am here."

He nodded. Finally, a genuine piece of evidence, rather than silly suspicions. He'd begun thinking this was some sort of vendetta on Smith's part, rather than a genuine situation. "Was the cancellation message issued by a particular individual? Was it by owl, memo, journal?"

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overlooked
2012-02-25 03:44 am UTC (link)

"So then you are here on professional business." Zacharias would like to think so. In fact it was only because of that belief that he was still talking to Percy rather than asking him to leave.

"Justin Finch-Fletchley," he said without hesitation when he asked who. Of course it would be him. Zacharias described him perfectly at his birthday party. "On the journal network. To which Marietta Edgecombe also reached the same conclusions I did. And as you might know, she was the one who named members of the organization in 1996.

"Surely that information is kept in a record somewhere as Dolores Umbridge was appointed by Minister Fudge." What went unspoken was the fact Zacharias was aware that Percy now held the position that Umbridge did and most likely had access to her files.

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youngestmformev
2012-02-26 12:36 am UTC (link)

"We have information on the original group, but nothing on any activities since the Battle of Hogwarts."

He nodded to himself, memorizing the name of Finch-Fletchley. He couldn't remember it, but it was likely Ron might know of him. At the very least, there was at least something behind the accusations, and Percy fully intended on finding out more.

He placed the files back in his case, not really needing them anymore, and stood up. "Thank you for your assistance, Mister Smith. I hope you can understand the sensitivity of this matter, as well as the danger you may have - inadvertently, of course - put some members of the DMLE in. I would appreciate it if, in the future, you would bring your suspicions to a member of the Ministry rather than airing them online. This would be the best solution for all."

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overlooked
2012-02-26 04:38 pm UTC (link)

"No," he said quite clearly as Percy was starting to pack up. That would not do at all. It was all all the same stuff from year seven again. "If the group is active again and I'm sure they are, then they have chosen to put themselves in danger. They have done so before and while their intentions might have been noble, others did get hurt for their actions."

At least then he could somewhat understand why they were acting? But this right now? This was children playing games. "We now have a complicated history with secret organizations. While I don't believe that the DA is aiming to become the next Death Eaters - they are certainly in a similar situation. They are a group of people who have a good idea and are acting outside the law and the purview of the Ministry."

"However, the most pressing fact is that the story is already out there. Speculations will continue to be made about this group and what the Ministry's response will be. And how do you really think it would look if when asked for an interview, my response is that I have been instructed to no comment on the issue per request of the Ministry's office?"

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youngestmformev
2012-03-08 12:19 am UTC (link)

"If it is active again," Percy replied simply, his face hardening. This young man certainly wasn't taking hints easily.

"Frankly, Mr. Smith, you may speculate as much as you like. I have come to give you an opportunity to rethink your actions, and you wish not to do so. Any lie you give in an interview would be yours alone - I have given you no direct instruction."

It was the truth, as Percy had chosen his words carefully.

"I have come of my own good will. Whatever you choose to do is your responsibility, and the repercussions of your decisions will be entirely your own."

He turned toward the door without waiting for any further response.

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overlooked
2012-03-13 12:54 am UTC (link)

Zacharias couldn't help but laugh to himself as Percy left. He would not start lying now, although it was an amusing thought. Besides, he really didn't need to. It just proved him right that the Ministry was just as misguided as Dumbledore's Army - it was all one big clusterfuck and he wanted to see it come crumbling down. Maybe next time the person in charge might actually get it right.

He wasn't sure why he had expected Percy Weasley to be any different - the man was after all a Weasley and was far too emotionally tied into the whole ordeal. Perhaps he would go right to the source, file a compliant as if it would actually do something, but either way this issue wasn't going away.

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