Chapter 244: Are You Going to Violate the Contract?
Fudge's reply came quickly, but even faster were the rumors circulating around Hogwarts.
"Did you hear? The Minister of Magic is coming to school next month to observe our Maze Challenge."
"They say the head of the Auror Office will be there too!"
"Scrimgeour? Didn't he just visit a while ago?"
"Catching criminals and observing an event are not the same! Last time he only saw Lockhart, but this time he'll definitely be carefully assessing the students' abilities."
"So, if we perform well, maybe we'll be recruited by the Ministry of Magic right after graduation?"
The younger students just thought it was fun, but almost all the sixth and seventh-year students became incredibly enthusiastic.
The opportunity to directly join the Ministry of Magic doesn't come every year. Most people, even if they enter the Ministry after graduation, might not get a chance to speak to the Minister for years.
Even Percy, who was usually immersed in his studies and not particularly interested in such "rough" activities, couldn't help but throw himself into it. However, lacking experience, he was sent out by a House-elf less than three minutes after entering, and he even dragged down his roommate who was with him.
"Seriously, Percy, this isn't like the face-to-face spell dueling you're imagining."
His roommate said rather bluntly, "You have to be careful of everything around you; attacks can even drop from above! Maybe you should train with the younger students first?"
—But if he trained with the younger students, he wouldn't even make it to the finals, so how would the Minister ever see him?
Percy nodded with a straight face, not bothering his roommate further, and left in a very bad mood.
He chose a time when there were fewer people and challenged it alone several times, but he never lasted long. Compared to others, Percy was skilled at casting spells, but his technique and reaction speed were far inferior.
However, after observing for a while, he unexpectedly found that not all the younger students were just messing around inside; there were a few exceptionally performing teams, including one organized by his younger brothers.
Out of brotherly pride, Percy hesitated for a moment. But after hitting a wall with several other excellent Gryffindor teams, he decided to approach the twins.
"Actually, you could come with me."
His girlfriend, Penelope, a sixth-year Ravenclaw prefect, said, "Even though the others are all Ravenclaws, they all know your academic record, and we won't have any awkwardness."
Which was more acceptable: embarrassing himself in front of his brothers, or embarrassing himself in front of his girlfriend?
Percy didn't even need to think. He slightly raised his head and said, "Actually, Fred and George already invited me to help them out. Even though their grades aren't great, their magical ability is quite good."
"Alright," Penelope didn't expose his attempt to save face, smiling and nodding, "Anyway, you're always welcome here with me."
Percy regretted his words almost immediately after saying them, but he couldn't take them back. After class, he had no choice but to go find Fred and George.
The twins hadn't teamed up with others in the Umbrella Room. They had their own close friends in their house, such as Lee Jordan, Angelina, Katie, and others. Of course, the core of the team was naturally the twin brothers.
Before Percy even reached the door, he heard his little sister shriek, "You all can, so why can't I?"
"How many times do we have to tell you? You're too young! And your classmates are all too bad; I doubt they can even cast an Expelling Charm," Fred said.
"Don't underestimate people! And, participating in the competition is voluntary, even if you object, you can't stop me!"
Ginny finished angrily, pulled open the door, and ran out, leaving the twins with exasperated expressions.
"Little sisters are cuter when they're younger," Fred sighed, saying.
"You might have forgotten, but when she was little, she used to climb on our heads to reach the cupboard," George said.
"And then Mum saw us—"
"Ginny was the one being mischievous; we were just two poor stepping stones—"
"But Mum still yelled at both of us—"
The two brothers, sharing a common plight, exchanged glances and were about to embrace and cry when they heard someone at the door say in a reproving tone:
"That's because Ginny was only three at the time, and you two were already big boys! You should have known what was dangerous!"
The twins raised their eyebrows in unison, looking at Percy as he entered from outside.
"So? What is Weasley prefect going to lecture us about now?" George asked unhappily.
Percy's face immediately flushed red.
...
Building on the last competition, more mature teams were formed, and some dedicated a significant amount of time to training every day.
The professors, too, were unconsciously influenced, always interspersing advanced, targeted spells into their lessons.
Abigail, in particular, became the most popular professor in the school. Older students lined up to get "beaten up" by her, then would emerge bruised and battered, but with a bit of dueling experience.
On Wednesday afternoon, Wade and the others returned from Herbology class to find several large, dark objects in the central courtyard. Filch was directing his Crab cleanup crew to clamber up and down, scrubbing, while Professor Abigail used a Levitation Charm to bring over a large bucket of cleaning solution.
"Professor?" Michael asked, "These things look like Muggle weapons?"
Displayed in the courtyard were a pile of guns and several small cannons, appearing to be over a hundred years old, their surfaces already heavily rusted.
"They are Muggle weapons," Professor Abigail said. "I wanted to show you what Muggles use to slaughter their own kind. I originally thought I'd have to take leave to buy them from an acquaintance, but when I asked, I found out the school already had these things."
"But... these things look like they're almost scrap," Padma said, frowning in distaste.
"Hm, they're practically antiques, but if we repair them, they'll work as good as new."
Professor Abigail ran her hand along the cannon's barrel, saying, "Of course, I also prepared some new things, so some of you don't think Muggles are nothing special."
"Oh..."
The students said, their expressions varied.
"So, who's going to help out? Cleaning these things isn't easy."
Professor Abigail asked, her hands on her hips.
The students often received guidance from this professor even after class, so naturally, they wouldn't refuse to help now.
Thus, everyone walked over, and dozens of Scourgify spells landed on the old weapons, revitalizing them.
For the grime that magic couldn't handle, it was time for cleaners, brushes, and shovels.
"Haha, look here! What's this?"
Peeves suddenly rushed out of the castle, circling the old weapons. Then, he lunged at Professor Abigail, asking maliciously, "Are you going to break the contract?"
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