Chapter 58: Off-Campus Assignment

"So let's begin with this Hogwarts mole business," Corey said while glancing at his notes. "Where did you first hear about it?"

"From a rogue Mahoutokoro wizard, who had escaped from Azkaban Prison last year and was a member of 'R,'" Claire answered while Corey checked his notes and wrote some stuff down. "I was able to infiltrate a meeting 'R' was holding in Knockturn Alley while disguised as Rakepick, until the real Rakepick showed up. There was a brief skirmish, but the Mahoutokoro wizard was captured by Mad-Eye Moody who questioned him."

"Then your suspicions were confirmed when you saw Merula in Knockturn Alley meeting with a Dark Witch, who was asking around for different kinds of information on you," Corey said.

"Yes, stuff like my wand and what kind of books I read at Flourish and Blotts."

"I don't get why this Dark Witch wanted to know about your wand."

"Madam Villanelle claimed that a wand can help determine a person's character, while books can show what a person is interested in."

"Hmm, makes sense," Corey said in a pondering tone. "After that, Merula told the Dark Witch she was ready to join 'R' and disappeared for most of the summer. Correct?"

Claire nodded in turn.

After examining his notes once more, Corey said to Claire, "It's possible what you saw may not be the whole story. Because the real culprit is rarely the person you'd expect, at least in the Conebush and Persimmons novels. And sometimes, people who seem guilty are innocent while those who seem innocent are guilty. Does that make sense?"

"Well, Merula did teach me how to do Wandless Magic, which was surprisingly kind of her," Claire admitted.

"But regardless of whether Merula is innocent or not, we still need to prove what her true motives are," Corey said. "Thus, we should keep watching Merula for now."

"Right, though she knows we've been spying on her," Claire warned. "And she could feign innocence to throw us off."

"Now you're thinking like a detective!" Corey smiled.

Suddenly, Tonks came over to the Gryffindor table where Claire and Corey were sitting.

"Wotcher, Claire!" Tonks greeted. "Professor Dumbledore wants to see us in his office."

"For what?" Claire asked nervously.

"I think it's got something to do with these career trips outside of Hogwarts," Tonks figured.

###

Inside Dumbledore's office, Claire and Tonks were surprised to see Barnaby, Charlie, Liz, and Ben there as well.

"Has everyone who was supposed to arrive here?" Dumbledore asked.

Barnaby looked around. "There's me, Claire, Tonks, Liz, Ben, Charlie, the portrait of Phineas Nigellus Black, the portrait of Armando Dippet, Fawkes—

"You could just say, 'yes,' Barnaby," Claire interrupted.

"I'm just double-checking!" Barnaby said in an embarrassed tone.

"It doesn't hurt to double-check," Dumbledore smiled, then he looked at everyone. "The reason I have gathered the six of you here is because of your talents and interests."

"Does it have to do with these off-campus assignments you mentioned at the Start-of-Term Feast, for exploring our possible careers outside of Hogwarts?" Claire asked.

"Yes, Miss Krystal," Dumbledore nodded. "The first place you'll visit is the Ministry of Magic, which was made possible by a few close friends of mine. But remember this: you will be representing Hogwarts, so how well you do at the Ministry of Magic will reflect on our school. Any questions?"

Claire raised her hand. "When you said, 'talents and interests,' how does that apply to the Ministry of Magic?"

"All of you are excellent candidates for the Ministry," Dumbledore replied. "Miss Tonks for her dependability, Mr. Lee for his loyalty, Miss Tuttle for her knowledge, Mr. Weasley for his bravery, and Mr. Copper for his steadfastness."

Hearing that, Tonks, Barnaby, Liz, Charlie, and Ben's faces lit up.

"And Miss Krystal…" Dumbledore paused as he looked at Claire. "Some have called you stubborn, lucky, and ambitious. But you've also been chosen for your heroic efforts in sealing the Cursed Vaults. For this reason, you will all begin your off-campus assignment in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement tomorrow morning."

"Yes!" Tonks cheered. "Auror training, here I come!"

"I'm not sure if they'll actually put us through Auror training, Tonks," Claire said in response.

"That will be up to the Ministry," replied Dumbledore. "Now I trust you all to balance your time working at the Ministry with your academic studies. Do not let me down."

"Of course, Professor," Claire acknowledged.

"Excellent," Dumbledore nodded. "You will pick up the necessary credentials to explore the Ministry freely when you arrive there. Now if you'll excuse me, there is some business I have to attend to."

Then as Dumbledore went back to his desk, Claire and the others left the office.

"I hope my dad doesn't embarrass me while we're at the Ministry," Charlie sighed.

"Who cares? Getting to explore the Ministry of Magic is all that matters!" Tonks said excitedly.

"Careful, or you'll knock something over," Claire warned.

"Aren't you excited, Claire?" Tonks asked.

"Yeah, I just…don't know a lot about the Ministry of Magic," Claire admitted.

"Feel free to talk to me about the Ministry," Charlie offered.

"Sure, let's meet in the courtyard," Claire said.

###

After Claire finished her Muggle Studies class on the rotary telephone, Claire met up with Charlie in the Clocktower Courtyard.

"Because the Ministry governs every aspect of the Wizarding World, there are multiple departments under it with some being more strange than others," Charlie said as he and Claire sat down at the fountain. "For instance, Magical Law Enforcement is where all the Aurors are employed. My dad works in the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Department, which is a division of Magical Law Enforcement that regulates the use of magic on Muggle items and ensures Muggles don't own enchanted items even by mistake. There's also Magical Creature Regulation, which includes three divisions: Being, Beast, and Spirit. As for the Accidental Magical Reversal Squad, they help reverse magical mishaps."

"What about the building itself?" Claire asked.

"It's underground with enchanted windows that mimic the weather above," Charlie answered.

To be continued…