Yes, Percy arrived at Hogwarts during breakfast, wearing brand-new professor's robes, his red hair meticulously combed.
Although Dumbledore had hired Percy the night before, no one had expected him to show up at the school first thing in the morning.
Even the professors at the staff table gave him odd looks, but Percy seemed not to notice. When he had returned to the Ministry of Magic the night before, Fudge had pulled him into his office for a talk.
Fudge's meaning had been clear: Percy Weasley had been promoted. He would take over all of Umbridge's duties, and if he did well, another promotion would follow.
Percy had barely slept. Just two years after graduating, he had risen so high in the Ministry of Magic that he had outpaced most of its employees.
"Mr. Weasley, what's all this...?" Dumbledore set down his honey-covered waffle, wiped the corner of his mouth with a napkin, and looked Percy up and down.
"Professor, I'm here to take up my post as History of Magic professor," Percy said. "I hope to give the students better History of Magic lessons as soon as possible."
The other professors found it rather strange. They were all in the middle of breakfast.
Dumbledore took a sip of tea and cleared his throat. The noisy Great Hall fell quiet, and everyone looked toward him.
"I'm sorry to interrupt your breakfast, but please allow me to introduce Percy Ignatius Weasley," Dumbledore said. He paused until most of the room was looking his way, then continued, "Starting today, he will replace Professor Umbridge as Hogwarts' History of Magic professor."
The Great Hall went silent for a moment. Then whispers broke out.
Percy caught some of them. People were questioning his ability to teach, which was only natural: he had never been