Homecoming from Hogwarts

The sudden thought in his mind made Fudge sit up straight. He looked at Arthur Weasley, who had a solemn face, with a flash of amusement in his eyes.

"If I'm not mistaken about your intention, Arthur——"

Fudge's tone suddenly became intimate.
"You hope your son can take up a more critical position, right?"

In a short period of time, the huge change in Fudge's attitude made Mr. Weasley alert. He frowned slightly.
"I am not seeking rights for my son, Minister. It's just that he is not yet 20 years old. He should be in a more challenging position. The Ministry cannot let a young man with unlimited potential grow old in a centaur office."

"Indeed, indeed--"

Fudge nodded seriously, and his gesture made Percy's eyes glow with hope. His voice trembled with excitement.
"I'll do anything for the Ministry, Minister, as long as... as long as there's something to do!"

Mr. Weasley gave Percy a warning look, indicating that he would negotiate with the minister himself, but Percy was completely immersed in the opportunity that was about to come and did not notice his father's hint at all.

"Oh, that's a very comforting attitude, Percy--" Fudge smiled at Percy with relief.

"Yes, I think so. Young people should be given the opportunity to make mistakes and correct them--"

Swish!
Percy stood up from the sofa at once, his body straightened, his face flushed as he prepared to show up again, but Fudge waved at him and said in a friendly manner,
"Yes, I remember now. When Barty was still in the Ministry, he once mentioned to me that the assistant assigned to him by the Ministry was very enthusiastic about his work. Oh, it is indeed a bit of a waste of your talent to let you stay in the Centaur Office, isn't it? But you have to understand, Percy, you made a mistake after all, and the Ministry has to give an explanation to the wizarding world--"

"I have just expressed my opinion on the matter of old Batty, Minister."

Mr. Weasley said cautiously, but Fudge ignored him. He looked at Percy with interest, at the ambitious eyes of the young man in front of him, and said in a friendly manner,

"Putting you in the Centaur office is a punishment, Percy. It is time for the punishment to end. But if you want to be in a more critical position, for example, I am currently short of an assistant. You have to make some achievements, I mean, make contributions to the department."

Assistant Minister?!
Percy felt dizzy and was filled with great happiness. He didn't expect that the minister would really be willing to give him a chance, and it was such an important position.

"What do I need to do, Minister?"

Percy's voice suddenly became hoarse.

"The Ministry is indeed facing a difficulty now. It bothers me. Senior Undersecretary Umbridge and I are helpless about it. If you can push this matter forward, then the Ministry will not have any gossip about my extraordinary promotion of you."

"With all due respect, Minister, this is something that will be troubling both you and Umbridge. I'm afraid Percy, as I just said, lacks work experience."

Mr. Weasley had a bad feeling in his heart, and he politely refused, but Fudge still ignored him and looked at Percy with burning eyes.
"So, are you willing to try, Percy?"

"I do, Minister!"

Percy straightened his chest immediately, and didn't even ask what had happened to make the powerful Minister of Magic and the Deputy Minister so anxious, but the experienced Mr. Weasley had already smelled the scent of conspiracy from Fudge's words, and he said tactfully,

"Percy is only a young man fresh out of Hogwarts, Minister, and I'm afraid he would be unable to overcome the problems that trouble both you and Madam Umbridge."

“Oh, this has nothing to do with work experience.”

Fudge smiled.

"It's not complicated, actually. You just graduated from Hogwarts, Percy. You should know that the professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts in that school is often replaced, and Dumbledore can't even find a suitable candidate to take up this position. But we can't let this situation continue, right? Defense Against the Dark Arts teaches young wizards how to resist dangerous dark magic and some dangerous creatures. Its importance is beyond doubt."

"You wouldn't want Percy to be the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts, would you, Minister?"

' said Mr. Weasley, clicking his tongue in surprise.

"Oh, the Ministry of Magic is indeed going to recommend someone to teach this course at Hogwarts. But the candidate has been finalized, Arthur. The dilemma we are facing now is that Hogwarts is based on some terrible prejudice. I mean, Dumbledore and Braine are not happy to see professionals appointed by the Ministry of Magic enter Hogwarts."

Fudge opened his mouth and smiled exaggeratedly.
"I guess Dumbledore and Braine probably mistakenly thought that the Ministry of Magic wanted to seize their power." "So, you want me to talk to Professor Dumbledore and Professor Braine and convince them to agree to the professors appointed by the Ministry of Magic for the students?"

Percy asked with his eyes wide open. This didn't seem to be an insurmountable obstacle. Professor Dumbledore and Professor Braine were both wizards who were very willing to communicate with others and humbly accept reasonable suggestions. He was fully capable of completing this test!
"Excuse me, Minister——"

Mr. Weasley had to stand up. He put his hands on Percy's shoulders, and his sparse red hair fluttered slightly.
“What professional are you talking about?”

"No one but Dolores Umbridge, Senior Under-Secretary of State for Magic -"

Fudge said, his tone showing resentment.

"Dolores is a powerful wizard who has fought against evil and is fully qualified for this teaching position, but Dumbledore and Brian disagree."

Oh!
Mr. Weasley looked suspicious. He immediately understood that Fudge sent Umbridge into Hogwarts not because he was worried that the young wizards had no Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, but to cause trouble for Albus and Amostar!

"No problem, Minister!"

Percy shouted excitedly, as if the position of assistant minister was already within his reach.

"I can go to Professor Brain. He must have some misunderstandings about the ministry. I can convince him to change his mind!"

"Percy!"

Mr. Weasley said angrily with a serious face,
"You simply don't understand, this is not something you can fix."

"Why, Dad!" Percy raised his eyebrows and said unconvinced.

"because--"

Mr. Weasley glanced at Fudge quickly, and his sinister eyes made his heart tremble uncontrollably. Taking a deep breath, Mr. Weasley looked at Percy, who was full of resistance, and his mind was racing.

"You have heard from the Minister that neither he nor Madam Umbridge could convince Albus and Amosta. Do you want to prove that you are better than the Minister of Magic and the Senior Undersecretary?"

Percy was speechless, he certainly wouldn't be stupid enough to say in front of the Minister of Magic that he was better than the most powerful person in the Ministry, but Assistant Minister, this position was right before him!

"Don't say that, Arthur—"

Fudge smiled indifferently.

"Like I said, there are some prejudices between Dolores and I and Dumbledore and Brian, so they can't treat the kindness of the Ministry of Magic correctly, but Percy... He is Brian and Dumbledore's favorite student, isn't he? I think he has the potential to change their wrong ideas-"

Under the gaze of Mr. Weasley, who looked livid, Fudge's eyes fell on Percy, who was already eager to try.

"But I have to make it clear in advance, Percy, if you can accomplish this task well and convince Dumbledore and Braine to put aside their prejudices and allow Dolores to teach at Hogwarts, then I can regard you as fully capable of being my assistant. But if you cannot accomplish this task——"

Fudge said in a regretful tone

"That means you still need to calm down. I'm afraid you'll have to stay in the Centaur office for a while longer."

(End of this chapter)