https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-613-The-Clash-at-the-Dining-Table/13462864/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-615-Returning-to-Its-Rightful-Owner/13462866/
Chapter 614: Impressions at the Ministry of Magic
Chapter 614: Impressions at the Ministry of Magic
Felix deliberately entered the Ministry of Magic through the visitor entrance, which was a red phone booth.
This place had once been blasted open by Death Eaters, severing the Ministry's connection with the outside world and causing chaos. Later, the Ministry of Magic used the excuse of a "gas leak in the underground pipes" to cover it up. Felix had wanted to see if the mobile ice cream van was still there, but the street corner was now empty.
The woman's voice in the phone booth was as cold and stiff as ever, as if nothing had changed. However, after passing through the Thief-Proof Waterfall, Felix wisely cast a few spells on himself to make him less noticeable.
He paused at the reception desk in the main hall of the Ministry of Magic.
A dozen Squibs, identifiable by their attire, surrounded a few receptionists, bombarding them with questions. The bearded receptionist was frantically trying to handle the barrage of questions.
"Quiet—everyone, quiet—" he shouted, his mustache twitching as he struggled to maintain order. "Fill out the forms first—then go back and wait for news. I don't have any of those blasted exclusive wands, not a single one!"
"Why do we need to leave our phone numbers?" one Squib asked.
Others shared the same question. It was well-known that Ministry of Magic employees never used phones for work, preferring trained owls instead.
"The Ministry will set up a temporary office two streets away, in a yellow office building. There, you can use the phone—whatever you call it", the bearded receptionist said irritably.
Not far away, a golden fountain emitted a gentle babbling sound.
Felix approached the elevator, where a young man with red hair was anxiously waiting, holding a thick stack of documents. He impatiently swatted away a paper airplane that blocked his view and pressed the button for the upper floors.
"Percy?" Felix asked.
Percy jumped, and the parchment documents in his hands scattered on the ground. "Professor Hep?" he greeted, frantically waving his wand to gather the papers. He knew someone was around, but for some reason, he hadn't considered it.
"I have some business at the Ministry. Is Ms. Bones in her office?"
"Yes, sir, she is", Percy replied. The elevator doors opened, and the two of them stepped inside. Percy subtly smoothed his hair and explained, "I'm heading to the Minister's office to deliver an important file."
The elevator began to ascend, and several light purple paper airplanes circled above their heads.
"Sir?" Percy said.
Felix smiled slightly, looking at him as if they were still in class and Percy had just asked a question.
"I was there that day, at the exclusive wand launch..." he said, slightly excited. "Afterward, I thought about it carefully, and some ideas started to form in my mind. I wrote a report overnight, and you know I work at the Department of International Magical Cooperation—"
"Is it related to the exclusive wand?"
"Yes", Percy's nose was dotted with a fine layer of sweat, and his cheeks were slightly flushed. "I believe the exclusive wand will significantly boost our international standing. The news hasn't spread widely yet, but we've already received letters at our department, sir. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—if handled properly, it could be more effective than a few Triwizard Tournaments or even the Quidditch World Cup, much more so..."
Felix's lips twitched slightly.
He had also received similar letters.
The news of the exclusive wand was released on August 1st, but the official launch was delayed by a few days. This gave some well-informed individuals the opportunity to learn about it in advance, though they couldn't confirm its authenticity, which is why they wrote to inquire.
"Is this your own idea?" Felix had a good impression of Percy. He generally liked people who took the initiative to take on tasks.
"Actually", Percy stammered, "I also got some inspiration. Yesterday, Penelope complained after work that owls from all over the world were flooding her inbox, and the letters were in various languages—French, German, Spanish, and even some she had never seen before."
"I see. Have you submitted your report?"
"Yes, this morning."
"I can mention it to Ms. Bones, but don't expect much."
"That's enough, sir!" Percy said enthusiastically. "This is a crucial time for me. Ms. Bones has shown great trust in me, but my age is a significant issue. I mean, when the new department head takes over, I need to maintain the proper respect... I've applied to transfer to the International Association of Magical Trade Standards, and I have a good chance of becoming a department head."
That was indeed something to be proud of. Percy had graduated just a year ago but had already participated in large international events like the Triwizard Tournament, the Quidditch World Cup, and the Ancient Runes Exchange. For a long time, he had no direct supervisor.
It was only natural that he stood out.
But it sounds like a hassle. Felix mused aimlessly, wondering who the new department head would be. The question lingered on the tip of his tongue, but he realized he wasn't really interested in the answer. The elevator doors opened, and the two of them turned down a few corridors, stopping in front of a door. Percy straightened his back and knocked with a serious expression.
"Come in."
Ms. Bones said curtly, her tone indicating she wasn't in the best mood. Percy opened his mouth and, bracing himself, stepped inside.
The office was occupied.
In addition to Ms. Bones, who looked tense and sat on a sofa, there were two other groups present. Felix immediately sensed the tension in the room, a feeling that was evident even to the naked eye.
"It's Percy", Ms. Bones said, her eyes flickering with a hopeful glint. "Is there an urgent matter in the department that needs my attention?"
"Um, I just came to deliver a file", Percy said sheepishly.
Clearly, this answer wasn't well-received. Ms. Bones sat back in her chair, disappointed. "Alright, thank you, Percy. Just put it on the desk; I'll look at it later. I'm busy—" she huffed, "entertaining guests."
"Mr. Heap?" a surprised voice called out.
A young man with blond hair jumped up from the sofa and strode over, bypassing Percy to reveal a familiar face.
"Uriel?"
Felix's mind clicked into place. Uriel's presence here made perfect sense. He had at least three reasons for being here: Uriel had once been a professor at Ilvermorny and was a close friend of the former headmaster who was murdered; after leaving the school, he joined the American Congress of Magic and became part of the Auror team hunting Voldemort; he also represented the core of the Reform Society, needing to occasionally showcase his capabilities and presence.
What was unclear was when he had come to England.
Uriel shook Felix's hand with exaggerated enthusiasm. He had matured, his gaze steady, but there was a hint of longing in his eyes. Felix, after a brief hesitation, became more welcoming, opening his arms to embrace Uriel and patting his back affectionately. He couldn't help but reflect on how practical work truly shaped a person.
Over Uriel's shoulder, Felix noticed one of the groups he had seen earlier turn sour.
"Who are they?" he whispered.
"The Stewart family", Uriel replied in a low voice.
Felix immediately thought of a name: James Stewart, one of the founders of Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and the Muggle husband of Isolt Sayre, the true founder of Ilvermorny.
And Isolt Sayre was a descendant of Slytherin.
The purpose of the Stewart family's visit was now clear.
When the two of them separated, Ms. Bones was already standing in front of them. She sighed with relief, saying, "Thank goodness. Professor Dumbledore told me, but I didn't expect it to be you—truth be told, I really didn't—"
Uriel looked a bit embarrassed.
He knew how they had been pestering the Minister of Magic lately, practically refusing to leave. But the Elder Wand was too important, so they had to ignore the controversy—when Voldemort held it, they dared not make a move, but now that Voldemort was rumored to have failed, they came eagerly to reclaim it.
His only insistence was that he hadn't tried to go through Mr. Heap. But that resolve was wavering, as the Stewart family members soon arrived, insisting on reclaiming their ancestral relic.
"Felix, let me introduce you", Ms. Bones said with a smile, seemingly relieved to be rid of a problem. She glanced at a balding, black-skinned older wizard. "This is Mr. Edmund, and with him is Mr. Greg, the Deputy Headmistress of Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. And these two—"
"My name is Melville, Melville Stewart", a young man said eagerly. "Mr. Heap, I've heard of you. You should understand our reverence for our ancestors' relics. We are constantly striving to restore our family's glory, and there's no doubt that we are the rightful owners of the Elder Wand."
"I—"
"Our lineage is well-documented, with no ambiguity. It can be traced back to Isolt Sayre's eldest daughter, Martha Stewart, even though she was a Squib and married a Muggle, her bloodline is pure."
"Uh, congratulations?" Felix said, thinking hard.
The young man stared at him, surprised by the response. At that moment, a middle-aged wizard with a kind smile stepped forward, shaking hands with Felix and saying politely, "Hello, Mr. Heap. I'm Melville's uncle, Blaise Stewart."
"Hello, Mr. Stewart", Felix nodded.
"Regarding the Elder Wand—"
"Mr. Stewart, I want you to understand, I'm not a judge. My task is to return it to its rightful owner—"
"We are its true owners!"
"Try to see if it responds to you." Felix took out the Elder Wand, and several eager eyes immediately fixed on it. Blaise Stewart instinctively took two steps forward, reaching out to take it.
"I mean, call to it, make it respond to you", Felix shook his head and took a step back.
"It's just a wand! Mr. Heap!" he said angrily.
Felix put the Elder Wand away, feeling somewhat disappointed. It seemed that neither of the two Stewart family members present knew Parseltongue. The atmosphere became awkward for a moment, then Ms. Bones said, "Felix, can we talk privately?"
"Of course", Felix agreed.
They moved to a nearby small lounge, closed the door, and Felix began, "Amelia, I tried, but the Stewarts—"
"Oh, that's a minor issue. I don't care who gets the Elder Wand." Ms. Bones said, and Felix was a bit surprised. She continued, "What I want to know is the report. What were you thinking?"
"What report?"
"The one you submitted, 'The Challenge of Muggle Technology to the Statute of Secrecy in the Modern Era'." Ms. Bones leaned closer to Felix, her head tilted back and her teeth clenched. "I can't believe you dropped such a big problem on me without a word. Do you know I haven't slept well in days?"
"I didn't know", Felix admitted honestly. "First, let me clarify: the problem wasn't brought by me. Preventing the exposure of the magical world is your responsibility. I pointed out a flaw in your work, and you should be thanking me."
Ms. Bones glared at him, but she had to admit Felix had a point. But why did it have to be her?
"Why didn't you bring this up during Fudge's term?"
"I'm not that close to him."
"… What about the Exclusive Wand issue? Don't tell me it was an accident. I've noticed you've been pushing this secretly. Everything you've done has been leading to one goal—"
"Preventing the exposure of the magical world and preparing for the aftermath", Felix nodded. "No need to thank me; it's my duty."
The two stared at each other for a moment, and Ms. Bones conceded, breathing heavily, "Alright, I admit it—if half of what's in your report is true, I have no reason to blame you. In fact, I should thank you—but you can't just walk away from this!"
"Uh, well…" Felix hesitated, and Ms. Bones raised her eyebrows. "Madam, consider your image. You're seen as a strong, determined minister who leads the people out of the shadow of war."
"What image?" Ms. Bones couldn't help but exclaim, her eyes fixed on him. "I have no confidence—everything is a mess right now. I've been dealing with the Squib issue, and more than half of my staff are swamped. Where do I find the time? And those people outside keep nagging at me, and I can't get rid of them." She gestured toward the door of the lounge.
"… I'll help by providing advice and suggestions."
"Deal." Ms. Bones said firmly.
The excitement on her face faded, replaced by a serious and satisfied expression. Seeing Felix's wide-eyed, stunned look, she elegantly smoothed her hair—her short hair had somehow grown into shoulder-length locks. She mused, "Sirius said you respond well to this, and it turns out he was right."
"Sirius", Felix mused, as if he had just tasted a strange-flavored bean. "He's really impressed me… Maybe I should invite him to dinner and get to know him better."
Thanks to Sirius, the 'traitor,' Ms. Bones was able to deceive him—though it wasn't really a deception. Her worry and frustration were genuine. This gave Felix a new insight: observing emotions wasn't infallible.
"Don't bother. You won't find him anytime soon", Ms. Bones rolled her eyes, her tone somewhat disgruntled. "He left immediately after the press conference, taking Harry on a trip."
The two, who had been at odds just moments ago, now seemed to share a common enemy.
He sure moves fast… Felix thought, rubbing his palms. But it's not that simple; Sirius might have had similar plans all along, and Amelia's delay just gave him the push he needed to escape.
Felix felt a sudden itch in his hands.
"What task did you originally plan for him?" he asked tentatively.
Ms. Bones bulged her eyes. "Alright, you're always so perceptive… Sirius spent some time in the Muggle world, and I wanted him to conduct some investigations, visiting people as a teacher to systematically observe the development of Muggles over the years. But that will have to be postponed now."
"A wise decision, Madam."
"Thanks for the compliment", Ms. Bones said dryly. "Let's go out and get rid of those people first. We can discuss things in detail later; I have a lot of questions."
"Oh, not today. I might have to go to Ilvermorny. I have a new understanding of 'returning things to their rightful owners,' and I think I know why Dumbledore said I was the best person for the job…"
(End of Chapter)
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