[She can't deal with video right now. She cannot promise her expression won't be less than pleasant.]

Percy?

[... or her tone, for a matter of fact.]

[ Ow. Yes, they can hear you. More importantly, the confusion toward technology and the red hair remind her of several people she knows. ]

There should be a button to turn it off, probably a red one, but they turn on themselves half the time anyway.

[ Pause. ]

I can't help with the rest, though. None of us can.

[A moment of shock as the girl appears on his screen, then he squints and peers at it, looking to either side of the phone as though looking for a secret fireplace before looking at the keypad.]

A red - yes, I see it now.

What do you mean, no one can help with the rest? That's absurd.

I'm terribly afraid that the Minister has no power here. Unfortunately you're stuck for the time being.

I beg your pardon? That's impossible.

You won't get any help from him.

Do you mean the Minister, or is there another 'him' to whom you're referring?

Oh, are you from England? How lovely! Yes, you're doing it quite right, we can all hear you admirably--you could stand to speak a bit softer, really, and we'd all still hear you just fine--and I don't think you'll want to turn it off just yet, before anyone can answer you, but when you do there ought to be a button on the side near a little red light? Or possibly a switch of some sort, but it's usually near a red light, and that's how you know if it's on or off.

What?

[A moment, and then he speaks again, in a more normal tone.]

Are you sure you can still hear me?

[Oh - god, okay, he has to bite down on a laugh, but he still sounds dreadfully amused when he responds, because he can't even be surprised.]

Try the little button at the top.

Potter? You're here to -

[The feed abruptly ends

...
...
...

then cuts back on.]

Potter? Are you still there?

Beg pardon, so very much pardon, always pardon, except when not: are you... pulling... rank?

I am exerting my authority, yes.

And another arrives.

[He's just.

Going to stare for a moment.]

...Professor Snape?

[Oh, this one's really something. She can't help but giggle a little.]

Having a little trouble there?

[He's figured out this isn't actually a tiny Floo, but it's still a shock when someone's face pops up.]

Somewhat, yes.

Ah, Mr. Weasley.

[ The surprise in her voice is only a little obvious. It's taking Mineva a little longer than usual to get used to all of this. ]

I'm sure by now you've been told the bad news?

Professor McGonagall.

[Of all the people he didn't expect to see.]

Yes, but I confess I'm having difficulty believing it.

[It's a good thing they woke up proper again this morning, else this'd be loads more awkward then it's bound to be. Grinning in full force, that particular sort of devious tinge to it, and maybe also a bit of apprehension in the hands that are hidden out of view from the device - but the fact still stands. There's a distressed Percy and only a few about to take the mickey. (Remind him to hug Harry later for pure brilliance.)]

Oh, thank Merlin! We've finally got Perfect Prefect Percy here to save the day. Go on, then, refer them to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Or have them fill out some paperwork, I bet that'd really hack them off. They'll send us all home out of sheer irritation.

I don't know if the Minister is quite going to notice you're gone, Perce.

[He may be acting snarky (come on, it's his default) but George's face 100% says OMG PERCY!)

[There's that horrible feeling again; that sick icy feeling gripping at the pit of his stomach and making his soul feel like it's quivering.

Because here is George again, because that couldn't have been Fred before, but here he is again and why is he saying something different now.]

George?

[Pay no mind to the giggling on her end, Percy. Your 'demands' made her laugh.]

Good luck with that, new guy.

Thank you. I hope I'm successful as well - though given the response I've received thus far, I'm doubtful.

[Sense of humor? That's for jerks. :/]

[ There is absolutely no way this is happening. First the City brings Fred back, but not entirely, then it brings Ron, then takes him away. Snape seems to be back, Professor McGonagall is here... Harry's mother -- But this? This? Next she knows, Molly and Arthur will show! She just stares for a moment before she responds. ]

Percy? Percy, is that really you?

Hermione? Yes, it's me - are you all right?

You work for the British government, and you're shouting into what's basically a cellphone.

[Also calling it a fellytone.]

That's got to be the worst cover story.

The worst cover story for what?