"Um.. uh.. Sorry, Mr. Greengrass, I might have misheard you—"
"You didn't mishear. This is the Ministry's latest strategic direction. It's a key project," Jamison said seriously.
Percy was still somewhat confused, but he heard the words "key project" very clearly.
A key project meant boundless prospects, meant always being within the sight of important figures. It was far better than his father, who had spent his entire life warming a cold bench. Percy was instantly captivated by this grand promise.
"Could you explain it in more detail?" Percy asked earnestly, staring at Jamison.
"Well, it's like this…" Jamison explained Rhys's vision to the young Weasley in front of him, hoping the boy would understand the importance of this job.
Percy's expression grew solemn.
He had a particular personality trait: obedience to authority. In his mind, a leader's orders always ranked above everything else. That was why, at school, he followed the headmaster's and professors' arrangements, and after graduation, he would follow the Ministry's commands without question.
So when Jamison explained the Ministry's stance to him, Percy immediately accepted it and firmly positioned himself on the Ministry's side.
"That's how it is. The magical world can no longer allow the Muggles to develop unchecked. We need to strengthen our control over them—"
"Not control, but surveillance and observation," Jamison corrected him quickly when he sensed the boy's understanding had gone slightly astray.
"The most important part of this job is to infiltrate the Muggle government, gather intelligence, and guide their leaders so they won't implement policies harmful to the magical world. Of course, I don't believe such policies will actually appear, but planting a nail in advance is absolutely necessary."
"Mnm," Percy listened with surging emotions.
Clearly, this was an extremely important job. What he would be carrying on his shoulders was the safety of the entire magical world. He could hardly wait to devote himself to serving the magical world.
"This job is extremely important. You will report directly to me. I will set up a separate office for you. Once you establish yourself firmly in the future, upgrading this office into an entire department of the Ministry will be completely feasible."
Percy: !!!
At that moment, he felt as if he had been knocked dizzy by a pie falling from the sky.
Seeing the young Weasley looking completely carried away, Jamison decided to pour some cold water over him so he would calm down a little.
"However, correspondingly, this job has extremely high requirements. You will need to conceal your identity within the Muggle government and contend with the most cunning old foxes. Although we authorize you to use Confundus Charms and Memory Charms, you must still remain highly vigilant and stay alert. You will also need to study Muggle knowledge extensively. All of this will be hard and demanding work."
Unexpectedly, this bucket of cold water did not dampen Percy's enthusiasm at all. On the contrary, it made him even more fired up, as if what had been poured on him was not water, but a pot of hot oil.
"I'm not afraid of hardship. My learning ability is very strong. The Muggles definitely won't notice anything," Percy said, looking completely fired up.
This slightly surprised Jamison. As expected of a child of the Weasley family—steady, hardworking, and capable of enduring hardship.
Moreover, he had reason to suspect that Percy's passion for this mission might have been influenced by his father.
Old Arthur's obsession with Muggle inventions was something everyone in the Ministry knew. If not for his age and his rather dubious, half-baked understanding of those inventions, Arthur would have been the most suitable candidate to send over.
Could it be that Percy wanted to infiltrate the Muggle government partly so he could get closer to Muggle inventions? Jamison couldn't help thinking so.
This was actually a misunderstanding of Percy. He was simply interested in authority.
Being both a department head at the Ministry and a civil servant in the Muggle government—how could there be such a wonderful thing in the world?
After continuing to ask several more questions, Jamison finally confirmed that the young man in front of him truly had the resolve to infiltrate the non-magical world.
Since that was the case, he had nothing more to say.
"Alright. Personally, I think you are very suitable for this position."
Jamison's words made Percy's breathing noticeably heavier.
This was affirmation from the second most powerful figure in the Ministry of Magic. Wasn't that basically the same as being accepted already?
"However, the procedure still needs to be followed, Mr. Weasley. I need to prove to my colleagues that you are outstanding. To put it more clearly, a N.E.W.T. certificate with all Outstanding grades will be the most convincing evidence."
Percy nodded seriously, then suddenly remembered something extremely important.
"Oh, Mr. Greengrass, I didn't take Muggle Studies, so I can't obtain a N.E.W.T. certificate in that subject…" As he spoke, sweat began to appear on his forehead. If he were to miss this opportunity because of a decision he had made years ago, he believed he would regret it for the rest of his life.
"That doesn't matter. The Muggle Studies textbooks are far too outdated and won't be of much help to your work. After you graduate, the Ministry will still provide you with special intensive training. What you should be worried about is whether you can endure that training."
Jamison's words acted like a reassuring pill for Percy. As for the so-called "intensive training," Percy was full of confidence in himself.
Isn't it just studying hard? Why would he be afraid of that?
After settling everything with Percy, Jamison drained the tea in his cup and left in a hurry—he still had to meet Dumbledore next.
Percy felt that his future was bright. He was certain that he would become the most dazzling member of the Weasley family, and that his father, mother, brothers, and sisters would all be proud of him.
Just imagining his family proudly saying, "Percy Weasley is my son/brother," made him tremble with excitement from head to toe.
About fifteen minutes later, Jamison Greengrass appeared in Dumbledore's office.
"Good morning, Professor Dumbledore."
"Good morning, Mr. Greengrass. Would you like some sweets?" As he spoke, Dumbledore conjured a large plate of desserts as if he were waiting to do so.
Jamison: "…"
He silently picked up a lightning cream puff just to be polite, then sat down opposite Dumbledore.
"I just finished talking with Percy—the Percy Weasley. Do you have any impression of him?" He didn't start the main topic directly, but first brought up his interview with Percy.
"Of course. He is a very energetic and obedient child," Dumbledore said, and in his mind appeared the face of a boy with flaming red hair.
"I've just finished interviewing him. I think he can join the Muggle Liaison Office that will soon be established."
Dumbledore raised an eyebrow. Arthur's child joining the Muggle Liaison Office—this was truly fate playing a little joke on Arthur. But the name of this institution…
A faint sense of premonition arose in Dumbledore's heart.
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12 Chaps ahead at Patreon.com/HornyFBI