A Professor of Magic at Hogwarts

Chapter 512: The Significance of Medals

They emerged from the training room, passing by the room where the members of the Phoenix Society were having a meeting. Fred casually pulled out Extendable Ears to eavesdrop, "No, they've gotten clever—"

Back in the living room, Penelope brewed tea for them.

"Aren't we calling Percy down?" Hermione asked.

"He's upstairs rushing his report," Penelope replied.

"That sounds a bit familiar," Ron scratched his chin.

"Change it to 'he's upstairs rushing his essay,' and doesn't it sound much smoother? We've heard that for a good seven years," Fred said somewhat wistfully. "I kept feeling something missing this month, now it's finally filled in."

Neville chuckled, "Sorry, couldn't resist."

At that moment, Penelope directed the teapot and cups onto the table with her wand.

"You know, the Department Head he's under hasn't been settled yet, and he's quite eager," she mentioned.

"He's that confident? Is that possible?" Harry asked, intending to use the word 'ambitious' but it didn't quite feel right—Percy was in the International Magical Cooperation Department, and the previous Head was Barty Crouch. After Crouch was sent to Azkaban, the position remained vacant, temporarily filled by former Minister Fudge.

"About as probable as him suddenly receiving the Order of Merlin," Penelope joked. "But he remains hopeful."

"Not that difficult, is it?" Ron half-seriously remarked. "Just get hit by a Killing Curse from some mysterious bloke."

Penelope shot him a reproachful look.

"What do you think earned you the medal? Just because of a Killing Curse?"

"Um—"

"Just to set examples?" Harry recalled something Mrs. Bones had mentioned to them.

"The Order of Merlin isn't that cheap," Penelope stated.

Harry felt a bit indignant. If someone like Lockhart could get the Order of Merlin, what couldn't happen?

"Just because we're alive?"

"Just being alive is enough," Penelope asserted. Harry looked at her in confusion, and she explained quite rationally, "You disrupted the plans of the mysterious man. He probably didn't count on finding three—oh, sorry, four witnesses."

She tapped her wand on the teapot, and it immediately released wisps of white steam, followed by a delicate amber swirl streaming into the cups, "Not bad, right? I learned it during the holidays with my mum."

"Why? I mean, yeah," Harry said, still pondering the previous topic. "But why?"

"Just shows you didn't pay much attention to what Mrs. Bones was saying," Hermione pointed out, not very pleased.

"Did she do anything apart from stalling for time for the journalists to take photos?" Ron asked.

"There's a better option, using 'Future World's' stores," George said dejectedly, "But we got turned down by Leims."

"But why—"

"Different philosophies," Fred shrugged, mimicking an 'old-fashioned' gesture, "We believe people will need some fun as emotions continue to plummet. Prank items will have a market."

George nodded, "This is where we'll shine."

"We're planning to open a store, not in Diagon Alley but

in Hogsmeade," Fred shared his plan.

"So, we're not really planning to drop out; Mum will hang us by our ears," George grumbled, "or drown us in the sink, pretend we never existed."

"Great," Ron said, "What products have you prepared?"

"Plenty," Fred and George grinned, "Except for the Extendable Ears and the Anti-Jinx series, those will stay with 'Future World' until after the war."

"Security-wise—"

"We picked a spot next to 'Future World,'" George winked at the inquiring Neville.

"We'll hire staff later; we'll inspect when Hogsmeade opens and use owls for communication. It's a shame; all the secret passages out of the school are sealed," Fred clicked his tongue, "But since we only have one more year... we can endure."

"I might join the Ministry after graduation," Hermione said, "But I don't want to give up my study of Ancient Runes." She seemed troubled.

"You want to be an Unspeakable?" Fred asked in surprise, looking at Harry and Ron.

"Hermione wants to be the Minister for Magic," Harry blurted without much thought.

Hermione glared at him but didn't refute.

"I just believe certain things need someone to do them," she said calmly.

Fred and George gave her a thumbs-up.

Just then, there was commotion in the hallway. Fred glanced downstairs, "The meeting's over." He turned back to them.

So, when Felix, Sirius, and the others entered the living room, they saw a group of people calmly sipping tea. "I thought you lot might be eavesdropping; the door opened several times," Tonks grinned as she sat among them.

"I'll talk to Amelia about it tomorrow," Sirius said to Felix, referring to Bode's situation.

"Give this talisman to him for me," Felix retrieved a snail-like pendant from his ring and handed it to Sirius.

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