Hogwarts: I Am an Exemplary Wizard

Kael gradually realized something and began to feel guilty.

Chris soon gave him an answer.

"Most of them have been discarded, especially those Fantastic Beasts that are low in value and inconvenient to carry. They were casually thrown by the roadside when they went to serve You-Know-Who."

"Do you know that our workload now is more than triple what it used to be?"

"Yesterday, you could see dogs with three tails or geese with two heads all over Cornwall. Cedric stayed up all night to handle these troubles and hasn’t returned yet!"

Chris was getting angrier as he spoke. They were so busy at the department that they couldn’t even go home, and just when they finally had a helper coming, he was redirected to a different department by his son.

For a moment, he even wanted to go to Bones and have her transfer Kael to the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures.

"I-I don’t know," Kael said, a bit guiltily, turning his head. "If necessary, I can bring you two more strong hands; I see Fred and George are pretty free, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to give them something to do."

"If I come back empty-handed this time, you’d better," Chris said, not very pleased.

Just at that moment, they arrived at the Minister’s office.

Chris didn’t pay any more attention to Kael, adjusted his clothes, knocked on the door, and went inside.

Knowing they had serious matters to discuss, Kael didn’t follow them but walked further on until he returned to his own office.

This office was originally assigned to him by Fudge. Though not large, it was much better than those cubicle offices in other departments, and it was a single room, very quiet.

Even though he hadn’t been there for more than a year, Bones hadn’t reclaimed it after taking office; it still belonged to him.

Thinking it over, Kael felt a bit embarrassed.

Although he hadn’t been here for such a long time, the office was spotless, probably kept clean by someone... or maybe by House-elves.

The Ministry of Magic does have House-elves, though not as many as Hogwarts. But like those in the school kitchens, they usually hide themselves and don’t let others see them.

After all, in their minds, the mark of a good House-elf is that you don’t even know they exist.

Kael sat down behind the desk, pondered for a moment, and pulled out a piece of parchment, starting to write something on it.

Half an hour later, the office door was pushed open, and Amelia Bones walked in from outside.

She looked almost the same as the last time they met; the only difference was that she now wore glasses.

It seemed the role of Minister of Magic was not an easy one.

"I heard from Chris that you finally came back to work," Bones said as she walked over.

"Might be disappointing for you," Kael said, "I came today to help a friend and am here to resign, too."

"Resign?" Bones frowned, her expression becoming serious, "Why? Are you afraid?

"But I don’t think you’re that kind of person. Ever since the first time we officially met, I’ve been able to tell that you’re not afraid of the Death Eaters."

The first official meeting?

It must have been when he came to the Ministry of Magic for interrogation, and the ones accusing him were Lucius Malfoy, Karkaroff, and Macnair — these three Death Eaters.

At the time, he indeed didn’t show any fear, even managed to make them suffer a bit later through the Wizengamot.

"You could say I’m afraid, but not in the way you’re thinking."

Kael explained, "Yesterday at Godric’s Hollow, I saved some people and thwarted You-Know-Who’s plans. You know, he’s got a small mind; I might need to hide for a while."

"Godric’s Hollow," Bones said softly, "Wasn’t it Dumbledore who saved them that day?"

"I also helped a little," Kael said, "You-Know-Who doesn’t dare to trouble Dumbledore, so he can only target me."

"Seems to make sense."

"Yes," Kael said, "So I’ll have to hide for a while to avoid being constantly targeted. And given that, I certainly can’t come to work at the Ministry."

"If that’s the case," Bones said, "Then there’s no need for you to resign; I can keep this position and office for you until the storm passes."

Kael glanced up at Bones.

Something felt off.

He could understand Fudge giving him special treatment; after all, in some sense, Kael was like Fudge’s advisor and successfully helped Fudge avoid the fate of being ousted.

But why would Bones? It definitely couldn’t be because she appreciated his talents. Last year when Kael was at the Ministry, she was still recovering at St Mungo’s; they hardly crossed paths.

Though he was puzzled, Kael didn’t show it.

"That’s great," he said, "But as for the salary, I don’t want it; can’t very well take money for doing nothing, it would be embarrassing."

This time Bones said nothing, just smiled, silently agreeing.

The Ministry of Magic’s budget was indeed a bit tight, especially since the biggest funder switched to the enemy’s side, so now they had to carefully count every Galleon. The salary of a Senior Ministerial Assistant wasn’t low, after all, so it’s best to save during special times.

"So, are you planning to leave now?" she asked.

"No rush," Kael handed the parchment on the desk to Bones, "I came to work today too, have to contribute something."