"What? Is it not allowed?" Tom inquired smoothly, tapping a measured rhythm against Scrimgeour's desk. I agreed to Fudge's little charade precisely because I anticipated some amusement. If I am not to be entertained, the exercise is pointless.
Fudge floundered, "It's not that, it's just..."
Tom cut him off, his tone precise, "I have no intention of making an appearance." The thought was distasteful. If I were to show my face, things would immediately revert to tiresome predictability.
Relief flooded Fudge's features. "Then we shall proceed exactly as Tom Riddle wishes."
Scrimgeour and the others, however, winced. They were caught between a rock and a hard place, and they had no choice but to grin and bear it.
...
Shortly after their discussion ended, Nagini escorted Hermione into the room. Sirius Black and Frederick Volle followed close behind, shepherding Harry Potter and Cassandra Volle. It was unclear whether this convergence was planned or purely coincidental. Lucius Malfoy arrived next, with Draco Malfoy in tow, followed by Amos Diggory and Cedric Diggory, and finally Xenophilius Lovegood, accompanied by Luna Lovegood.
Once Tom's coterie of "little Death Eaters" had been delivered, the parents departed. Fudge's invitation had explicitly extended only to the children, promising a glimpse into the life of an Auror. As for whether the parents harbored any anxieties, their willingness to deliver their children into the Ministry's hands spoke volumes. After all, despite the Ministry of Magic now being jokingly referred to as a "Death Eater branch," it was still an official organization, engendering a certain level of trust, or perhaps blind faith.
With everyone assembled, Fudge led them to a nondescript meeting room. "I believe your presence here today indicates a profound interest in the glorious and, dare I say, 'heroic' profession of Auror within the Ministry of Magic."
Draco Malfoy drawled, "Not at all, Minister. I simply heard you would be here and thought I would come along for the spectacle."
"..."
Fudge's smile faltered briefly. Blast the boy! However, years of political maneuvering had honed his recovery skills. He plastered on a fresh smile. "Perhaps Draco Malfoy's motivations are… unique. However, I am confident that there are young wizards among you who genuinely aspire to become Aurors."
He directed his gaze towards Harry Potter, hope gleaming in his eyes. "For instance, Mr. Potter, your remarkable performance in the Triwizard Tournament springs to mind. I have no doubt you possess the potential to become an exceptional Auror upon graduation."
Harry Potter blinked, then replied, "Uh… actually, after graduation, I was planning to dedicate myself to the noble cause of furthering the Death Eaters' agenda."
"..."
Fudge's lips twitched almost imperceptibly. "So, the reason you agreed to participate in this charade has nothing to do with your ambition to become an Auror?"
"Same as Malfoy."
"..." There are more lambs to fleece here. Fudge pasted on another hopeful smile. "What about Miss Volle? Only yesterday, she subdued a sub-adult fire dragon. Surely, she is eminently qualified, quite possibly on par with trained Aurors. I wonder if Miss Volle would be interested in pursuing a career in-"
"No," Cassandra Volle stated flatly, her gaze unwavering, her tone brooking no argument.
"...Ahem, very well. And Miss Lovegood?"
"Hmm… I haven't quite decided yet, but I hope to uncover magical creatures that have yet to be discovered. I had the pleasure of speaking with Newt Scamander recently, and he has suggested I might assist him after I graduate." Luna Lovegood's eyes widened in dreamy enthusiasm. "I believe I would like to be a magizoologist, like Newt Scamander."
"..."
Fudge felt a creeping numbness starting in his extremities. Hold on. Weren't Aurors supposed to be highly sought after? Why were they being ranked below summer jobs?
"Perhaps Miss Granger has some interest in working for the Ministry?"
"Actually, Minister Fudge, I am not particularly drawn to the idea of being an Auror."
"..."
"However, I am immensely interested in the Ministry of Magic itself."
??!
Fudge pricked up his ears. "Come, come, tell me more! Miss Granger, I have heard Albus Dumbledore sing your praises on many occasions. He considers you to be an outstanding scholar at Hogwarts, second only to Tom Riddle in his day!"
"The Ministry of Magic would be delighted to secure your services upon your graduation!" Fudge gesticulated grandly. "Miss Granger, what position within the Ministry do you aspire to hold? I would be happy to recommend you as Minister for Magic!"
Hermione Granger's eyes lit up. "Minister for Magic!"
"..."
Fudge's smile vanished as if it had been blotted out.
She wants my job!
Wizards typically enjoyed long lifespans, meaning he himself had several more terms he fully intended to serve as Minister.
Hermione Granger, oblivious to Fudge's sudden pallor, launched into a barrage of questions about the process of becoming Minister for Magic.
Fudge's irritation surged. This is clearly a meticulously orchestrated ambush!
The nature of her interrogation revealed that Hermione Granger's ambitions were not merely whimsical.
This girl is a formidable rival!
And if Tom Riddle were to throw his weight behind her…
"Minister Fudge? Minister Fudge?"
Hermione Granger waved her hand in front of Fudge's face.
"Oh! Forgive me, I was briefly distracted."
Fudge smoothly transitioned to another topic. "Where were we? Ah, yes! Mr. Diggory, you have yet to share your aspirations with us. Please enlighten us."
"..." Curse her!
Hermione Granger frowned, pursed her lips in displeasure, and sought solace from Tom Riddle, only to be intercepted by Cassandra Volle.
Hearing Fudge's question, Cedric Diggory adopted a serious expression. "Yes, sir! My ideal career upon graduation next year is to become an Auror."
With the start of the new school year, Cedric Diggory would be entering his seventh year at Hogwarts, with only one year remaining until graduation.
"Good! Excellent! Wonderful!"
See? This is the reaction a normal young wizard should have!
Fudge slapped his thigh decisively. He would arrange for Cedric Diggory to start interning at the Auror office immediately upon graduation.
"But Minister Fudge, isn't there a written application and a rigorous evaluation process?" Cedric Diggory frowned slightly. Securing a position as an Auror was no simple feat.
In addition to maintaining stellar grades on both the Ordinary Wizarding Levels (O.W.L.s) and the Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests (N.E.W.T.s), candidates were supposed to submit written applications to the Ministry of Magic, undergo a preliminary screening, and then survive a grueling assessment notorious for its exceptionally low pass rate.
Those who survived the assessment were permitted to enter the Auror Office and endure three years of specialized training. To skip this process entirely was indeed unheard of.
"Hmm! No wonder Albus Dumbledore praises you as an exemplary student."
Fudge nodded, his mind racing. "But rest assured, the assessment will be administered in a different format. I am confident that you will pass."
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