Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Percy didn't know exactly when his life changed from a boring sob story to whatever it was now. He did, however, know the moment everything started. You see, it was during his third year at Hogwarts. The first Hogsmeade weekend to be specific.

His morning started completely normal. He woke up, got ready and headed to the library, to get a head start on his weekly revisions before breakfast. (He had of course already finished all his homework! He always does it the day he gets it and would strongly advise you to do the same.) At breakfast he sat with Oliver, his roommate. The both of them got along well enough. It was Oliver who asked him if he wanted to visit Hogsmeade. 'No, he didn't. He had to finish revisions. They had a test next week.'

Well, had he followed his own words, his life would have stayed rather 'boring' (until Voldemort of course...). But he didn't. Fate decided Percy Ignatius Weasley needed a life. So he ended up breaking his quill, his replacement quill and his replacement of the replacement quill. All before lunch.

Thoroughly disgruntled he headed to Hogsmeade. Luck had not lost him, or he lost it, he quickly found cheap quills on sale. Fate grew desperate - he heard a scream. He ran towards it. He heard it again. He began chasing the repeating sound. Down the street, around a corner, first left then right. Only to find a teenage couple tickling one another, laughing in between their screams. Teenagers! (Never mind that he was one himself.) Get a room for Merlin's sake! Percy turned around, more than ready to get back to his revisions. It didn't take long to figure that he was lost. Damn those teenagers.

A few meters away, there was a sign above a heavy black door. „Neon nights" it read. „Club" and „All colors are beautiful". Somebody there should probably know how to get back to Hogwarts. He entered. He was run over. By bright pink. „Oh, I'm so sorry. We haven't opened yet." a young woman with glasses said.
Regaining balance „Good morning! (ALWAYS start with a greeting, it's polite) No problem. (Reassure, even if annoyed) And that is not what I'm here for."
„Oh, Sweety, I'm sorry. You looked so young, I just assumed. Please follow me, your work desk is this way".
„Ma'am I believe there seems to be a misunderstanding".
„The pay would be as discussed 15 Galleons the hour, 15 hours a week". FIFTEEN GALLEONS?
He needed money. He was a Weasley. And 15 Galleons an hour was a lot! (To our Muggle readers, a Galleon is a lot more than a Dollar or Euro)"
„What job exactly are you trying to hire me for?" He wouldn't become a hooker.
„Bookkeeping, of course. So here is your desk. This is the stack documents about paid entrance fees. Next to it is the sold drinks, separated from sold snacks. The current stock, with how much what cost, as well as a list with taxes. Event plan, booked bands, with all the extra costs. A list of employees, their contracts, worked hours and wages. Fixed costs for liquor license and so on. Finally the cash journal, where everything needs to be documented in and checked for inconsistency or misbooking. I'll leave you to it."

Percy had already sat down halfway through the explanation. It wasn't his fault or a conscious decision, but pure muscle memory. He had not realized what happened until a few hours later. By then, he had already put in too much work to stop. Besides, money. A lot of it.

In the room next door stood Alex working at the bar. She couldn't believe her luck. Everyone she had tried to hire for accounting, had quit in minutes. So what if she wasn't the most organized person. She was creative. The last guy had fled just this morning. Maybe a quarter of an hour before the weird redhead had shown up. He hadn't even looked through all the stacks. Pussy. So what if the freckled kid seemed a bit young for working. If he was at least 13, and according to his Hogwarts uniform he was, she could hire him for a couple hours each week. It might pose a challenge, that he couldn't visit the club outside of Hogsmeade weekends. But if the kid could organize her chaos, she was willing to do anything! for him to take the job. She'd find a solution.

Several hours later the redhead still hadn't emerged from his office. Didn't the students have to go back soon? Maybe he fell asleep. Alex always did when accounting. A look through the door showed the boy deeply emerged in documents, hunched over the desk. Alex did a mental victory dance, while entering and closing the door behind her.
„What's your name kid?"
Redhead kid jerked and broke his quill. He seemed unproportional annoyed about that. „Percy Ignotus Weasley. A pleasure to make your acquaintance. I must apologize, for forgetting to introduce myself earlier." he nevertheless answered overly politely.
„I'm Alex. Can I have a look over what you got done?"
„Of course, Ma'am." Alex leaned over and flipped through the pages. The more she saw, the more difficult it became to hold back an ecstatic Huzza of exuberant joy! That brat was the God of organisation!!! She'd sell her soul to have him work for her.
„You've done well" She coolly stated, with the best damn Poker Face Loki himself would have been jealous of.
„We'll have to adjust your contracts, due to your student status and age."
That's right Alex, don't even give him a chance to turn you down. If only she knew where she put the damn contract forms! Weasley handed one to her.
„Thank you" Alex tried her most professional smile.
„So, I've been thinking. By law, between the ages of thirteen and fourteen, you are not allowed to work more than 15 hours a week and 4 hours a day." She expectantly looked at the brat, hoping he would tell her his age.
„I'm thirteen, Ma'am."
„Good. That includes overtime. Therefore I would place a time charm in the cash journal, which you are not allowed to break or manipulate. Furthermore there is the problem with your Hogsmeade weekends. They are far too few. I would propose I send you copies of all the important documents per owl. You take a duplicate of the cash journal with you, that is charmed to copy all entries into the original. Are those terms acceptable to you?"
„Yes, Ma'am"
„You don't have to pay taxes. I can pay you your first paycheck in cash, but afterward you will need a Gringotts vault. The Goblins have a small office set up in town, which you can visit your next Hogsmeade weekend. I also expect you to personally check in the club every time you get the chance. Do you have any questions left?"
Alex stared at Percy, praying he'll take the job.
Percy stared at Alex, thinking about all the cash. He was a Weasley, can you blame him.
„What about the pay?"
„15 Galleons per hour, 15 hours a week." That was exorbitant. But he was a Weasley. He was dirt poor. And ambiguous.
„30 Galleons per hour."
„15 is already far too much brat"
„I strongly value my education. I would be wasting time I could have spent studying, working"
„Fine. 20."
„25"
„I said 20."
Percy stood up. He walked to the door. Pressed the door handle.
„Alright, 25, you leech!"
They signed the contract. Then Percy received the duplicated and charmed cash journal, along with several documents and Alex complete name. Alexandra Sokolov.
„Pleasure doing business with you, Ms. Sokolov. Have a good night".
„You as well, leech." Thank god the brat didn't know she would have paid him a 100 Galleons per hour, to have someone do that cursed job for her. Even if she would have gone bankrupt in less than a month. Probably. She wasn't good at accounting.

Later in bed Percy Weasley remembered Stranger Danger and decided to tell his mother nothing about his new job or how he got it.

Authors Note: I've read exuberant often enough to roughly know its meaning through context. I have, however, no idea if I used it correctly...Help?

Chapter Text

Over the next few weeks Percy got into a sort of routine. He would spend 4 hours each Sunday and Saturday working through the mess of documents. That left 7 hours for 5 days. Therefore a bit less than 1 ½ hour per day. It worked surprisingly well. He had been worried about his lost studying time.

Four weeks later was the next Hogsmeade weekend. Percy had (of course, already) made a Gringotts appointment per post. He had also, (naturally,) created a day plan (, as life was chaos without one): Studying, breakfast, Hogsmeade. First, he would have to gather his paycheck.
25 Galleons × 15 = 375 Galleons
375 × 4 = 1500 Galleons
He was RICH! The 100 Galleons minimum needed to open an account wouldn't be a problem.
Then he would head to Gringotts. About an hour or two later he would get back to Neon Nights. There he would get his 4 hours of work done, and be introduced to part of the staff before the club opened around 5:30 PM.

„Morning, leech." Alex was sprawled in one of the guest couches. Her rimless glasses lay beside her and she held a small mirror as she drew something black all around her eyes.
„Good morning. I have come to collect my paycheck."
He wanted his money.
„Take a seat, this will take some time."
„I have an appointment at half past ten. I refuse to be late."
„You'll be fine, now sit down."
Percy sat down. Alex continued painting her face. After the black, she had added some white in her inner eye. Now she was busy painting vines with some kind of fine brush over mostly her eyelids. Percy wasn't sure, but he thinks last time she wore some eccentric make-up as well. She ended up adding some vines in a lighter green as well as some soap bubbles. A few spells later the soap bubbles started slowly moving around. It was rather extreme: her red lip, her dark eyes with the white and what Percy thought might be glitter, the dark and light green vines, the moving soap bubbles, not to forget the bright pink hair and rimless glasses. Nevertheless, Percy liked it.
„Want me to use some eyeliner on you too?"
„Absolutely not. Thank you."
Bill might have experimented with a bit of make-up, but it didn't fit Percy's type. He was more orderly, proper, not to mention what his mother might think. She was already strongly against Bill's long hair, not to mention the bit of make-up. „Things like that are just not done," she would say. „It looks too rebellious, it's unseemly for a boy." Percy still thought Bill looked cool.
„People might get the Impressionen I've ... rebelled."
Alex snorted „Merlin forbid."
After bringing her make-up things away, she came back with an envelope.
„Here's the check inside. You may hand it to the goblin managing your future account. I have included a copy of your contract as well, should you wish to lodge it at Gringotts."

Entering Gringotts Hogsmeade office, Percy was faced with a golden reception desk in the middle of an open room. Not looking up from her work, Senior Secretary Sharpeye (according to the nameplate) cleared her throat.
„Good day, do you have an appointment?"
„Yes, Percy Weasley, 10:30 am with Mister Irontooth."
„Please take the elevator on my left, -4th floor, on the right side. Have a nice day."
„Thank you, ma'am."
In front of the office, he knocked again at the heavy metal doors. „Enter."
Percy entered Irontooth's office. The room was immaculate, with a polished stone desk at its center and ledgers neatly arranged.

„Mr. Weasley, you are here to open a new account, correct?" Irontooth asked.
„Yes, sir," Percy replied.
„Do you possess the one hundred Galleons minimum required to initiate the account?"
„Yes, sir," Percy confirmed.
„Very well. Please place your right hand upon this stone plate. It will record your consent and verify your identity."

Percy followed the instructions and recited the formal declaration:
"I, Percival Ignatius Weasley, born on the twenty-second of August, nineteen seventy-six, to Molly Weasley née Prewett, born on the thirtieth of October, nineteen forty-nine, and Arthur Weasley, born on the sixth of February, nineteen fifty, being of sound mind and body, do hereby consent to the storage of my magical signature and blood results by the British Goblin Nation for the security of my vault."

Irontooth carefully collected three drops of Percy's blood on a crystal-tipped quill. It started writing on the parchment, recording his magical signature, family data, and account details. Percy handed the envelope to Irontooth.
„1500 Galleons to store in my vault as well as a document for safekeeping."
Irontooth took the envelope.

„The account is now established. Your key will be prepared and delivered shortly by owl," Irontooth said.
„Do you have further questions?"

„Will my parents be informed?"
„No, as you are above the age of 10, law allows you to open and manage your own account as you see fit."

„What additional services does Gringotts offer its clients?"

Irontooth produced a thick pamphlet and handed it to Percy.
„In addition to providing a vault and managing your account, we offer currency exchange between Wizarding and Muggle money. Muggle credit cards may also be obtained for a fee of three Galleons. Clients may take out loans, have wills prepared and safekept, and store important documents securely. For accounts holding more than ten thousand Galleons in liquid assets, clients may work directly with their account manager on an investment plan or authorize Gringotts to invest on their behalf."

He paused, then continued.
„Beyond financial services, we provide warding and curse-breaking, as well as physical examinations, all for an additional fee. Anything else is noted in this pamphlet. Is there any particular service you require at this time?"

„I would like to commission a Muggle Credit Card."
„It will be sent with your key. Is there anything else you need from Gringotts?"
„No, Sir."
„Concluding this meeting, I wish you a nice day. Please feel free to contact us any time regarding your account."
„Thank you, have a nice day, Sir."
Percy got up and headed out of the bank. That went smoothly.

Back at Neon Nights Alex was leaning against the bar, polishing glasses.
„Hey, Leech. Thought I’d show you around before you disappear into your office again," she stopped him.

„Alright."

„So, you know the main hall already." She waved her hand across the space.
The room smelled faintly of polish and alcohol, though it was still quiet. The bar to his left gleamed under the dim lights, Percy's office door tucked neatly beside it. To his right a cloakroom sat behind a wide window. Beyond the line of bar stools and a few tables, the floor opened bare and wide for dancing.

„It looks empty now," Alex added, „but when it fills up, you’ll be glad for the space. That U-shape around us?"
The floor they stood on was surrounded by a heightened area, full of low tables and black leather couches. „People like to watch the floor from there. All the openings in the wall lead upstairs."
Percy glanced up — the balcony mirrored the same pattern above.

„The upper floor’s got a muffling charm," Alex explained, lowering her voice as if to demonstrate. „Music stays clear, but you can still hold a conversation. The door behind me goes to storage and a little kitchen."
Percy noticed the plain door tucked into the wall behind the bar, easy to miss.

„Spilled drinks vanish on their own, glasses won’t break, the wall paintings glow. Neon Nights, you get it." She pointed at the nearest drawing where bright strokes of color lit the wall.

„And the stage?" Percy asked, eyeing the raised platform opposite them.

„Usually DJs. Tonight, a live band."

They crossed the floor. A faint hum echoed from the walls though the place stood empty. Alex pushed a door left from the platform open. „Game room. On the other side of the stage are the restrooms."

Inside, the same painted walls, a handful of couches lined the edges. The center was filled with two balantina pila tables (for Muggles: wizarding billiard, where only the white one stays still), the balls sliding restlessly across the felt without a touch. Beside them stood three Muggle foosball tables, still and silent.

„This one’s muffled too," Alex said. „You’ll thank me later when the cheering starts."

„Staff restrooms are either through your office or the storage room. You should have already seen the door next to your desk. Any questions?"

„No, thank you. I'd like to get some work done now."
„I'll leave you to that."

The next few hours passed quickly. Percy worked methodically, organizing, updating, cross-checking. Occasionally he made notes about inconsistencies, and wrote down questions to clarify later on. Around 4:30 PM, Alex knocked „Ready to meet the rest of the team?"
Percy nodded, following her out of the office.

„Listen up, everybody! This is Percy, our accountant," Alex shouted across the room.
She gestured toward a tall, broad-shouldered man sitting at the bar. „And that’s Marc, our bouncer tonight.“
Marc gave a friendly nod. „Nice to finally meet you.“

„Behind the bar are Leo and Tess,“ Alex continued, and they both waved. „In the kitchen, you’ll find Mercy.“
Mercy poked her head out. „Welcome aboard!“

„And last, but not least, this kind old gentleman is Charlus, our cloakroom attendant.“
Charlus smiled warmly at Percy. „It’s a pleasure to meet you, kid.“
„Thank you,“ Percy replied. „I’m Percy Weasley.“

Back at Hogwarts he went back to studying. Nevertheless he felt incredibly proud of himself.

Author's Note: Does anyone know if I used it correctly?
(...should you wish to lodge it at Gringgotts.")

Chapter Text

Percy sat in the Hospital Wing. He felt ashamed. He felt stupid. He felt proud. And the bruises covering his body throbbed painfully.
An interesting combination of feelings, one might think. One might also wonder, how someone could end in such a situation.

Percy would have liked to blame the twins. Yet he could not.

Going back a few hours,
Percy was pranked.
At first he was minding his own business. As usual. Carrying his books and homework back to Gryffindor Tower. The next moment Sir Friedson, the portrait of a knight, screamed at him. In his mother’s voice. Telling him he had a hole in his pants. Right between his butt cheeks.

A few seconds of silence. Then every witness started laughing. Percy in his shock dropped his precious cargo. A few books and scrolls rolled off under the railing. This prank went too far. Stomping off in fury, the laughing grew louder.

It took hours on end, to find some of his homework. Not to mention that laughter seemed to follow him around. Hogwarts’ gossip mill was horrible. The twins would be smart not to cross his path for a while. Not that anything he did or said seemed to be bothering them. Not if he was angry. Or hurt. Or deeply embarrassed. The last only excited them.

Percy cursed Hogwarts. Had they been in a Muggle school, his things would have fallen straight downwards. But here he had to collect them from everywhere in the school. He had already wasted so much time.
Once it was nearing curfew, Percy grew worried. He hadn’t found everything yet. Maybe some students had taken parts of his homework. Even if he found everything, today set him behind, in both homework, studies and work. He would not get much sleep the rest of the week, were he to catch back up. Not to mention, one of the still lost essays was due tomorrow.

After growing more and more frantic, he grew resigned. It seemed he would have to spend the night rewriting his last essay. Then,

bam. Percy was seeing grey. And a couple stars. After a few seconds he recognised the ceiling. The author would like to add here, that this collision was not the reason for his sickbay visit. It could, however, explain later smart decisions.

Looking up from his position on the floor Percy saw a door. He would swear it had not been there before. He had proof. Exhibit A: He had carefully scanned the floor, ground to ceiling for his essay. Before, there was only a weird tapestry. Exhibit B: the door was open. Exhibit C: nobody seemed to have opened it.

(Somewhere far off, in a place no mortal had ever seen, fate was rolling on the ground laughing, congratulating herself on perfect timing.)

Percy got up from the ground. He dusted himself off and entered the room.

The sight would steal anyone’s breath. The room was huge, packed full with all kinds of items stacked up so high, one could not see the opposite wall. Every edge brimming with chaotic magic.

Percy himself could not believe his eyes. All worries of the past hours were forgotten. Before him, on a neat pile of chairs, lay his essay. Percy thanked the gods. Fate, not a god, accepted his thanks regardless.

After collecting his cherished work, Percy took the room in. What chaos. After some time he figured out its use. It appeared to be a storage area for lost items. Not a very good one, in Percy’s opinion, for how it was organised.

He started working through things. Doing so he noticed a few items of use. He carefully collected them in his bag, to further inspect later. This place was a true goldmine. Speaking of which.

It had only been a matter of time, for him to get the idea any Weasley in his position would have gotten. He truly was not to blame.

Percy raised his wand, and clearly with strength behind his words spoke “Accio, Money!”.

He managed to dodge the first few golden projectiles, also known as Galleons, that came flying his way. His quickly constructed shield charm however, only protected him from the front. The last thoughts running through his head before losing consciousness, was to research better shielding charms. Then all went black.

After who knows how long, (it could have not been too long, as fate was still laughing. Though that revealed very little.) Percy woke up. The pain he felt everywhere told him he needed to visit the Hospital Wing. After collecting his money, that is.

One Time skip to now later.
Unsurprisingly, Madame Pomfrey was not impressed. Especially, since Percy had told her he had been attacked by ducks. He would have to get better at lying.

A few potions later he was informed he would be staying the night, but should be fine by morning. Then she left him his privacy.

Taking off his pants, he found a hole in them. His head grew red. Quickly taking off the rest of his clothes, he buried his head in the pillow. He never wanted tomorrow to arrive. Shame burned in his gut. It took forever to fall asleep.