"The Department of Scrutiny was established to investigate whether Ministry of Magic officials committed illegal or disciplinary violations, accepted bribes, embezzled public funds, knowingly broke the law, and so on, in any aspect of their day-to-day administrative duties—"
A hastily arrived war had thrown the routine work of every Ministry of Magic department into disarray.
Pensions for the families of those who had fallen;
Rewards for those who had taken part in the war;
The planning and reconstruction of Diagon Alley, which had been destroyed on the battlefield;
Compensation plans for civilians whose lives and property had suffered losses in the war.
These chaotic affairs had drained the Ministry employees of all their energy. Everyone felt like a wound-up puppet, unable to stop for even a moment.
Yet a sudden meeting had forced the Ministry's several deputy ministers, department heads, and office directors to set aside their endless workloads and attend.
Not only that, every non-voting member of the Wizengamot except Dumbledore, as well as recipients of the Order of Merlin, First and Second Class, had received invitations from the Ministry of Magic to attend this important legislative session.
Minister Bones, her eyes bloodshot, spoke fluently from the dais.
In the circular conference chamber sat witches and wizards renowned throughout the British wizarding world, arranged along the tiered seats.
Especially those directly employed by the Ministry of Magic: as they listened to Minister Bones's address, their faces turned pale, sweat beading at their temples.
Yet not one of them dared interrupt Minister Bones or raise an objection.
Some cautiously glanced toward the first row of tiered seats, where the young wizard sat with his eyes closed, resting.
But whenever their gazes touched his profile, the wizards could not help growing flustered, a suffocating pressure rising within them.
Merlin knew whether,