Percy's first two days back at Hogwarts had been like a magnet radiating the glory of the Ministry of Magic.
Whether he was having breakfast in the Great Hall or passing through a corridor, students who knew him would always sidle up familiarly, and soon several fluffy little heads from the lower years would pop up around him.
"Mr. Weasley! Mr. Weasley!"
On the afternoon of the third day, a second-year Gryffindor girl finally caught him. Her eyes sparkled as she said:
"Are Aurors all especially smart and impressive? What do we need to do to become Aurors? Mr. Weasley, what do you do at the Ministry of Magic?"
Percy stopped, straightened his back, and cleared his throat. He shifted the notebook and copied documents in his hands so that the badge on his chest gleamed even more brightly.
"That is an excellent question," he said. "The work of the Ministry of Magic is far more complicated, serious, and—if you will permit me the word—solemn than you imagine."
The gathered students looked at him eagerly, their eyes wide with curiosity.
"As the administrative Supervisor of Auror Command, my work... how shall I put it... you may understand it as an essential part of ensuring that Aurors can carry out their missions without distraction."
Percy lowered his voice. "From personnel deployment to material support, from mission records to risk assessment reports, every stage requires exceptionally rigorous professional competence. It is not a job just anyone can do."
"Speaking of which, I am reminded of something Minister Scrimgeour once said..."
He began speaking at length about his various interactions with the Minister, occasionally bringing up former Minister Fudge as well, demonstrating how both the former and current Ministers had entrusted him with important responsibilities.
Ten minutes later, the crowd began quietly inching