Order Only: Ron, with Selwyn

[alt_arthur]

Selwyn's pressed me to bring Ron in to visit the office. Very friendly, we're-all-parents-in-this-together, and wouldn't it be splendid to give the lad an idea of the work his father does, etcetera. I put him off a couple of times, pleading the press of work, but I didn't dare refuse point blank. And so Ron's been here this morning, touring my dingy little kingdom, and very boring I'm sure he's found it, too. Percy, no doubt, would have found it enthralling at his age, but I'm afraid it's not quite Ronald's idea of splendid summer entertainment.

But now Selwyn's invited him to his own office for a friendly little chat. Just the two of them. With the door closed.

I can feel the ginger hairs on my pate turning more and more white every minute that door remains shut.

Comments

[alt_lupin]

How much do you think your children know about your loyalties? You've surely kept them a secret from Percy.

[alt_arthur]

Yes, we've certainly done so with Percy. I think we had started to be a bit more open with Bill and Charlie when they were his age, because it was clear we were on the same page, but with Percy early on, it was evident that he was resistant to the subtleties we try to live by: that everyone is equal. That blood doesn't indicate worth.

To tell the truth, as much as it pains me to say it, I think Percy thinks less of me and values my opinions not at all because of my position with the Ministry, working with Muggles, I mean. Frankly, we think he trusts and is open with Bill more than he is with us. Bill and I compare notes a lot during our weekly lunches, and then he does a bit more with the delicate conversations than I do.