Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
Moon Child
Chapter 7
Percy Weasley was prepared to admit that he had been a fool, to think his father had warned him about the ministry and he had not listened. How many times had he been told that fudge was corrupt, that to trust in the man would be a mistake? After going through three months of investigations into how much he'd been responsible in the Umbridge scandal as the Prophet named it, he was very lucky to have a job at all. It was with shame he'd had to accept a job at the department for control of magical creatures. He hated the job but after having his name dragged through the dirt he had no choice but to accept.
Today was his second week and it was with relief that he discovered this week would be out in the field, even if he would be working at St Mungo's. It was getting difficult to ignore all the snide remarks cast his way and to avoid the inevitable confrontations with Harry Potter's supporters. They were determined to make him pay for his part in bringing Harry to court, and his co workers were more than willing to blame him for making them believe Harry was crazy...as if he was responsible for how they thought.
It was with more confidence than he felt that he entered the room to greet his first client only to see his ex-headmaster and two of his Professors sat beside the bed, he felt a warmth around his ears as he remembered the last time he'd seen Albus Dumbledore.
Mumbling a quiet hello he made his way over to shake hands with the young werewolf on the bed, noticing the Snape like sneer appear on the lads face he felt his insides skip a bit. 'Good lord my first client would have to be related to the Potion's Master, and by the looks of him he seemed to have inherited his father's formidable temper. Great.'
Conjuring up a chair Percy sat and searched his notes to find the necessary forms and handed them to Meilyr to fill in, while going over the procedure of registering. Explaining the reason for the identity tag took longer due to the time it took for the ministry quill to process the form. Once the lad's id number was found Percy leant forward while the quill scribed the number onto the new werewolf's wrist.
Feeling the blush return he handed him a copy of the ministry's 'A Guide to your Right's as a Dark Creature' and left as fast as dignity would allow.
Outside in the hallway Percy repeated his oath to never stand out again, his father was right about the need to keep your head down.
Harry couldn't hide his disgust at who stood in the doorway, Percy Weasley. How on earth had this sad excuse for a human being managed to get any job, let alone a job at the ministry? Were they so desperate in government that even Percy had managed to keep his job? They must be really short on skilled workers to let this piece of filth back. Harry had read the Daily Prophet avidly when he'd heard that the Toad was being investigated so he knew that Percy had been suspended, he'd felt a sick pleasure at the thought of the people he considered partly responsible for his godfather's death getting punished. It was with a great deal of effort that he managed not to give in to the urge to throttle the bastard, and with a little pride in his control he squeezed the hand that was offered...noting with pleasure Percy's pain.
After conjuring a chair Percy sat down and rifled through the file he held, eventually handing over a form that requested his name and personal details. Looking over the form before filling it in Harry remembered to put down his new name, checking through the rest he noticed that his healer had already completed some of it. After giving back the form that he signed with the quill Percy had given him he watched as the quill gave of a golden light that to his newly sensitive eyes was too bright. Blinking away the automatic tears that had sprung to his eyes he eventually spotted the number that had replaced his signature, looking back at Percy he asked 'why he was given a number.'
His face a violent red Percy explained, "Due to new Ministry guidelines it is now compulsory for every Dark creature to be given a identity tag. This number will be unique to you and will help the ministry prosecute dark creatures that are violent. Because of the specific nature of the werewolf it is important that we should have some way of recognizing those wolves that bite someone. It is now against the law to turn a witch or wizard into a Dark creature without his or her consent. This is in accordance with the recent change in the law that controls the keeping and breeding of magical creatures, you'll find the full details of this law and it's clauses in the ministry's new guide book." With this Harry was handed a book with 'A Guide to your Right's as a Dark Creature' written in black on it's front. "Now that we have processed your details I will need to mark it onto your wrist. This is in the event of you being a wolf if you unlawfully pass on your curse and make someone a Dark creature, we will need to be able to identify you to bring the necessary charges. I'm also sorry to inform you that due to the contagious nature of your condition you will have to notify the ministry about any partners you conduct intercourse with. Now that the procedure has been explained, may I." The last was said as Percy made motions for Harry to present his wrist; it was with growing distress that Harry extended his arm to receive his mark of shame. The quill pierced his skin and he felt disappointment well up as he watched it's progress across his porcelain skin. It was with dread that he beheld the number; he would forever be just the numbers 0758-00629. Remembering everthing he had been told of the Holocaust he felt a shiver of fear at what was meant by that number. Unable to take any more he looked into his father's eyes and noted with some shock that his father was crying, not in a bawling manner but with a dignity that was heart breaking to watch. After sixteen years of being alone his father had to sit here while his own son was forever separated by humanity.
Seeing that his father was genuinely hurt over his fate Harry resolved to try a understand this man, even if he was rejected he would give anything to know how to lift the burden that was clearly sitting on his professor's shoulders.
Taking a deep breath he ignored Percy who exited with a guilty blush and held out his hand, as well as the offer of family, to his father.
So Harry felt the stirring of hope as Severus, understanding the meaning behind the contact, gave a shy smile and accepted his son's hand.
A/N: I would like to thank all you wonderful reviewers for your very helpful comments. I'd also like to apologise for the awful grammar. I'm ashamed to admit that I'm living in England, but it's sooo long since I wrote anything longer than a postcard that I'm completely lost. I hope you enjoy this chapter 'cause I had alot of trouble trying to get it right (I want to point out the terrible predujice still present within the ministry- I hope it worked).
Huge thank yous and lot's of chocolate bunnies go to:
Harrypotter2005, Hank Riddle, Opal, Pearl of the Moon, ShadowedHand and Stemaphie.
Please read, enjoy and if you can all reviews will be welcome L.L.L.