Underground Resistance | Percy Weasley

Chapter 4

When Acelina hands Umbridge her father's files the next morning, the woman browses through the files. After one look, she hums, hands Acelina the files back, and orders her to grab parchment and a quill. The woman leaves the office before Acelina has gathered her things and she has to rush after the woman to keep up.

Umbridge leads them through the winding corridors of Level One until they end up in front of a mahogany door with a small golden plaque that reads 'Minister for Magic'. It's unfamiliar terrain for Acelina, she has never been in these corridors. In the area in front of the Minister's office is a whole crowd of Ministry officials. Acelina suspects they are governors, council members, and advisers to the Minister. They are all deep in discussion with books and papers laying on the desks around the place. Nobody seems to have noticed Umbridge and Acelina.

Umbridge walks up to an official whose nose is buried in a thick book. The man is short, bald, and has a beard that can rival Dumbledore's. Umbridge clears her throat which makes the man look up. His expression is bored but quickly turns into fear when he recognizes Umbridge.

"Ms Umbridge," the man mumbles, "How- How may I be of service?"

Acelina expects him to stand and curtsy, but he remains seated.

"Is the Minister busy, Mr Ghoul?"

The man shakes his head and Umbridge hums. As she turns around to head to the door, the man continues: "He is accompanied by his Junior Assistant. In case you would like a private audience."

The image of Percy Weasley in his slightly too big suit appears in Acelina's mind.

"That is not a problem. He and his family are under close surveillance by the Ministry and he has yet to make a mistake."

Without any more words, Umbridge pushes the mahogany door open and enters the office. Acelina follows her and the heavy door falls shut behind her. She can feel the gaze of the old man on the back of her neck before she enters the office.

Inside the office, Umbridge makes a beeline for the man sitting behind the large desk. Acelina opts to stay near the door in case Umbridge changes her mind and decides to send her away.

Acelina looks around the large office. The dark décor reminds her of her father's office and as her eyes roam around the room, the same feeling of unease she usually feels at her father's home office creeps up on her. Her eyes land on Percy Weasley, sitting behind a desk. He has a quill in his hand and a stack of parchment in front of him. When he sees Acelina look at him, he nods at her.

"I have received the files regarding our latest break-in – Ms Yaxley, pass me the files."

Doing as she's told, Acelina crosses the office and hands the woman the files. Umbridge placed them on the desk and gestures at the desk Percy Weasley is sitting.

"You will need to act as my scribe. Sit down and start taking notes."

Percy has summoned a chair from the other side of the office and Acelina sits down. Placing her own parchment beside Percy's, Acelina pulls out her quill and nods at Umbridge who seems to be waiting for her. When Acelina has nodded, Umbridge stops tapping her foot and turns to the Minister.

The Minister has long black hair and a beard streaked with silver, but the look in his eyes is distant. It reminds Acelina of some of the Ministry officials she has seen around her father since he was promoted to Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.

As Umbridge and the Minister discuss several topics, Percy and Acelina take notes. Both are too busy to talk among themselves, Umbridge jumping from subject to subject, but Acelina can feel Percy's gaze on her from time to time.