Once the final subject had been completed, the fifth- and seventh-year students finally let out a sigh of relief. The fifth-years could relax for a short while, while the seventh-years began sending out applications and continuing their communications with major companies or the Ministry of Magic.
Percy was among the happiest group of people.
Although it would still take some time for the results to be officially released, he knew very well that he had performed exceptionally well, perfectly meeting Mr. Jamison Greengrass's expectations.
This was confirmed the very next day after the N.E.W.T. exams ended—Jamison once again invited him out from Hogwarts.
"Congratulations, Weasley. Although this is a bit against procedure, I still want to welcome you in advance to the Ministry of Magic, as one of its members," Jamison said, taking the initiative to extend his hand and shake Percy's.
Upon hearing Mr. Jamison's words, Percy felt as if he had suddenly forgotten how to breathe.
It took him a few seconds to react. He had been accepted by the Ministry of Magic? He was about to become a Ministry employee with a bright future ahead of him?
"Of course. Strictly speaking, the transcripts won't be released for a while yet, but it's not difficult to find out someone's results. You passed. Every subject was an Outstanding. Well done!"
Percy opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but found that his mind was completely blank, unable to form a single word.
"However, I believe I've already told you that your training workload will be extremely demanding."
Percy nodded.
Jamison then revealed the real reason for his visit. He hoped Percy would not waste any time and would go with him immediately to begin the Ministry's training program.
After all, time waits for no one.
Percy had no reason to refuse at all. He wished he could join the Ministry of Magic and start working immediately.
"Very good. Full of drive," Jamison praised Percy. "I'll submit an application to Professor Dumbledore." He had originally thought that the young man would want to relax for a while first and spend some time with his family. He had not expected Percy to be willing to throw himself straight into work. It was a most pleasant surprise.
"For now, sign these documents first. I've applied for something good for you." As he spoke, Mr. Jamison took a small box from inside his robes and slid it across to Percy with a mysterious air.
"This is…?" A flicker of curiosity rose in Percy's heart, along with a faint instinctive sense of warning.
"A Time-Turner." Mr. Jamison's expression turned serious.
He told Percy that there was simply too much material he needed to make up for, so the Ministry of Magic had decided to allow him to use a Time-Turner to shorten the duration of his training.
This was also the challenging part of the job.
"No problem. I will definitely complete your assignment," Percy said, a trace of solemn, almost sacrificial resolve appearing on his face.
At this moment, his blood was surging with excitement, as if the entire Ministry of Magic were resting on his shoulders.
"What a fine young man!" Mr. Jamison praised him lavishly. Percy swiftly signed a thick stack of guarantee forms and then received a brief training session on using the Time-Turner.
"Under no circumstances let your past self discover your future self. Do not expose yourself. Remember this, remember it well," Mr. Jamison warned him repeatedly.
"Mm." Percy understood the necessity of this very well and nodded seriously.
After that, Mr. Jamison helped Percy take care of the formalities for leaving school early and handed over the materials for the first stage of his training.
The materials were packed into a small satchel enchanted with an Undetectable Extension Charm. Every time the bag moved, it made sounds completely mismatched with its size.
Percy had to finish reading this entire stack of materials before July and then undergo the Ministry of Magic's assessment. This was the first step he needed to take in order to integrate into the Muggle government.
Percy accepted the task with a face full of excitement and left together with Mr. Jamison.
He had no idea what awaited him in the future.
…
Like Percy, Cedric did not get any real rest after the O.W.L.s exams ended either. He was immediately drafted by his professor.
While making components, he noticed that the door of a cabinet in his professor's office was always kept closed, which inevitably stirred a bit of curiosity in him.
What was stored inside that cabinet?
When he asked his professor about it, Helga always brushed it off vaguely, unwilling to tell him, only saying that it was a secret.
Since his professor put it that way, Cedric did not press the matter further, merely burying the question in his heart.
Time passed quickly. Before long, the end-of-term exams organized by Hogwarts also came to an end. Daphne and Astoria likewise became part of the drafted workforce, staying in Professor White's office and "tightening screws" together.
Two days later, Hermione was also dragged over by Rhys, under the pretext of "improving her studies."
That was not him talking nonsense. This really was a practical skill. Once learned, providing after-sales services to the major families in the future would allow one to live extremely comfortably.
As a result, even after the end-of-term exams were over, everyone's days were still extremely "fulfilling."
However, Helga was not a stingy person. The subsidies she gave the children over these few days were enough for them to buy first-class tickets to the Quidditch World Cup Final.
These days went on for several more days. Just when Daphne and the others had grown used to it, Helga suddenly told them one morning that she would be going to the Ministry of Magic for a meeting together with Professor Dumbledore.
"Professor White, what kind of meeting are you going to?" Daphne asked, her bright eyes wide with curiosity.
"A secret. You'll find out next term. It's something very interesting~" Helga winked at Daphne and showed her a mysterious smile.
"Huh?" Daphne's curiosity was instantly piqued, but unfortunately Professor White refused to reveal a single word more.
"Alright, I'm heading off. I've put the materials for the puppet components in the cabinet. If you need them, just help yourselves."
Leaving those words behind, Professor White departed, leaving a group of children behind in the office.
After she left, Daphne originally wanted to slack off a bit and take it easy, but she soon discovered that even Rhys was seriously working on crafting puppet components. With that, she could only grit her teeth and start making components as well.
As everyone worked with great enthusiasm, the raw materials were consumed very quickly. Before long, the mithril used for engraving ran out.
"I'll go get some mithril," Daphne said as she stood up and walked over to the most conspicuous cabinet in the office. Just as she was about to open the cabinet door, Cedric called out to her.
"Daphne, there probably aren't any raw materials in that cabinet."
Daphne paused and looked at Cedric curiously.
"Professor White said what's inside is a… secret," Cedric said, his expression turning a little strange as he repeated his professor's words.
"A secret?" Daphne narrowed her eyes. What a coincidence. Professor White had gone to a meeting today because of a "secret" too!
Now she wanted even more to open the cabinet door and see what was inside.
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12 Chaps ahead at Patreon.com/HornyFBI