Chapter 344

Not long after Donald Fontroy left, Arnold suddenly announced a new decision.

"Based on feedback regarding your career intentions, we've found that many of you wish to work at the Ministry of Magic. I consider this a very positive trend, though it's also possible some of you lack clear understanding of what you truly want to do." He said this before Monday's Defense Against the Dark Arts class.

"Starting this week, we will arrange internships at the Ministry of Magic every Friday. Based on your career preferences, you'll be assigned to different departments. Friday classes will be swapped with Defense Against the Dark Arts or rescheduled elsewhere. Over the next two days, you may collect your new timetables from your Heads of House, which will also indicate your assigned departments."

"I'm informing you now, and this class has already been transferred to Professor Flitwick." Arnold finished speaking, stepped down from the podium, and sat in the last row of the classroom.

"Ah, I'm not used to this classroom," Professor Flitwick climbed onto the podium and cleared his throat awkwardly. "As Sir Arnold said, from now on, this time slot will be devoted to Charms. Go to the Charms classroom."

The Charms classroom had a tall stool for Professor Flitwick to stand on. Here, he could only stand on the podium—it was too high, a torment for both teacher and students.

That evening, in the Slug Club, Professor Slughorn approached Harry in a mysterious manner.

"From what I hear, Arnold plans to assign you to the Minister's Office," he whispered. "Did you tell him you want to become Minister of Magic?"

"No, I haven't even decided what I want to do yet," Harry scratched his head. "But Arnold has been pushing me hard to become Minister."

"Ha! The Minister of Magic isn't something just anyone can aspire to—and yet you'd refuse it!" Slughorn waved his hand dramatically. "Do you know who decides who becomes Minister?"

"The Prime Minister, I suppose," Harry had never given it a thought.

"The civil servants," Slughorn nodded slightly. "Most Muggle Prime Ministers don't even know the magical world exists—but Muggle civil servants and Ministry civil servants often watch Quidditch matches together."

"So if Arnold recommends you for Minister, it means you just have to say yes."

"Exactly," Slughorn lightly patted Harry's shoulder. "Do you realize how significant this is?"

"But I never wanted to be Minister. What does the Minister even do every day?" Harry said, sounding slightly aggrieved. "I'm sure he never thought about actually governing the magical world."

"Hmm…" Slughorn paused. "At least he officially governs the magical world. Oh, right—last time he was in a hurry, he wanted the Ministry to find him a chef who could make an omelette."

Harry suddenly understood how Clarest had quickly become an indispensable pillar of the Order of the Phoenix.

"Let's set that aside for now," Slughorn noticed Ron's pale face and wrapped an arm around his shoulder. "What did you talk about with Miss Granger? I heard your dream is to become an Auror?"

"Yeah, I'll try my best," Ron mumbled. "I don't get it—Hermione says she won't take a job, she wants to go to university? Where to?"

"Oh, that's interesting," Slughorn seemed stuck in old thinking. "She probably wants to stay on as a professor?"

"Miskatonic University," Harry explained naturally. "It's a university established by the Ministry of Magic for wizards. You need outstanding NEWT results to get in. It's an interesting innovation—I really feel now that seven years at Hogwarts might not be enough to learn all magical knowledge."

Still, Harry and Zhang Qiu worried that once Hermione set foot on that distant land across the ocean, her fate would fall entirely into others' hands.

"The Ministry of Magic?" Slughorn sneered. "Even if they truly mean to open a university, I'd bet there's little they could teach Hogwarts graduates."

"Is that so?" Harry didn't believe it. Though the Bai Gong had yet to show any distinctive, cutting-edge technology, his ignorance didn't mean it didn't exist.

"Anyway, she won't be going on this Ministry internship," Ron sighed. "She thinks our whole system is flawed."

"Let her be—the Atlantic isn't covered," Slughorn patted Ron again, then wobbled off to find Hermione.

When Harry learned that Ron had been assigned to the Auror Office, he genuinely worried: Ron's Potions skills were far below the standard required for a qualified Auror. He felt he needed to tutor him—or rather, intensify his tutoring.

After rigorously practicing Occlumency on Thursday, Harry began to look forward slightly to Friday's Ministry visit. Anything was better than more classes.

Before departure, Harry wasn't surprised to notice Neville in the group.

"Ha, now we've got company," Ron cheerfully slung an arm around Neville. "Even though Harry got assigned to the Minister's Office, we can stick together."

"Oh? You're in the Department of Mysteries too?"

"Department of Mysteries??" Ron stepped back, spreading his hands. "Don't you want to be an Auror?"

"I did," Neville nodded slightly. "But Arnold told me being an Auror isn't the end. Have you heard of the Doctor Program?"

Harry's eyes widened. He suddenly realized Neville was a perfect candidate for the Doctor Program: kind, just, skilled in all forms of defensive magic, and most importantly, he had experience with time travel.

"Ah, I get it," Ron said listlessly. "So those of us who can become Aurors get sent to the Doctor Program first, while someone like me, who can barely make it as an Auror, gets stuck in the Auror Office."

"Don't say that," Harry comforted him. "The current head of the Auror Office used to be a Doctor himself."

"Alright, children, no whispering," Arnold said. "Line up by department—we're distributing Portkeys."

Harry had assumed he'd be the only special case, but he hadn't expected Draco to stand beside him, even ahead of the Magical Law Enforcement squad.

"Pleasure, Potter," Draco smirked. "Arnold recommended you for the Minister's Office too, didn't he?"

Out of nowhere, Harry remembered his first days in the magical world—this false, golden-haired boy had been the first person he'd met. Perhaps in some mad parallel world, he was Harry's best friend?

"Yeah, what did you say during career counseling?" Harry asked casually.

"Ha, I didn't say much. I said I didn't want a job—I wanted to return home and inherit the family business," Draco said with clear pride. "So Arnold suggested that before my father gets too old to manage things, I should spend some time working at the Ministry."

"That's quite good…"

"And you?" Draco suddenly asked. "What did you say?"

"I… to be precise," Harry refused to be outdone, "I'm supposed to take over the Order of the Phoenix, so Arnold suggested I become Minister. Who knows what he's thinking?"

"Because the Order of the Phoenix must be under the Ministry's jurisdiction," Arnold interjected. "And the Order must obey the Minister's orders. But if the Order insists on defiance, we'll simply ask its leader to become Minister."

"Not a bad idea," Draco's face twitched.

"Alright, children, the Portkeys are about to activate," Arnold clapped his hands, then grabbed Harry and Draco each by one arm. "Since only you two are going to the Minister's Office, I'll take you personally."

After a dizzying whirl, Harry found himself outside the Minister's Office. More precisely, outside the large conference room on the Minister's floor.

"Does the Minister still only work in the conference room?" Harry asked.

"Oh, don't say that," Arnold wagged a finger. "We've provided the Minister with a private office. He just prefers handling affairs in the conference room."

"Here they are," Arnold extended a hand. "This is Bernard Woolley, the Minister's personal secretary. He'll oversee your entire internship here."

"Pleasure, Mr. Potter, Mr. Malfoy," Bernard smiled and nodded. "The Minister is delighted to welcome you. And please, call me Bernard."

Arnold gave them a satisfied look, said, "Enjoy your time together," then pressed the elevator button and descended.

Bernard led them into his office and asked: "Please sit, gentlemen. I've asked you here to hear your expectations for this internship."

"Mr. Malfoy?" He turned first to Draco.

"Er, I…" Draco hesitated, then his eyes ignited with ambition. "I want to learn how to truly manage and run a country—even just a little."

"Understood. I'll take you to meet Sir Humphrey later," Bernard nodded. "And you, Mr. Potter?"

"I… I don't really care," Harry didn't hold the actual administrators in high regard—his true goal was to become the strongest in the magical world. "I just want the credit. Just toss me into some corner where no one notices me, ideally where I don't even have to show up or can do my

"Very well, Mr. Malfoy, please wait here for a moment." Bernard stood up. "I'll take Mr. Potter to see the Minister first."