Beneath the Curtain

The moment he stepped into the plane's cabin, Mundungus Fletcher roughly yanked off his tie, muttering complaints under his breath.

"Bloody tie! This thing's practically strangling me! Why do Muggles like putting something that looks like a noose around their necks?"

"Fletcher!" Kingsley warned in a low voice. "Watch your appearance. We're official personnel now!"

Mundungus curled his lip, but still stuffed the tie haphazardly into his pocket.

Lupin had already hurried past them and headed deeper into the cabin. Among the sleeping passengers, he spotted Wade at once, flipping through a book.

The boy looked up, while Arthur Weasley, beside him, had already come forward happily and called out loudly:

"Thank goodness, Kingsley, you're finally here! I was worried the Ministry of Magic had sent that Scrimgeour fellow!"

Kingsley gave a faint smile and shook Mr. Weasley's hand firmly.

"I told him that the Wizengamot had proposed adding an inspector to the Auror Office to oversee the legality and necessity of our operations. Rufus couldn't wait to shove this field assignment onto me so he could deal with that troublesome matter."

The joy on Mr. Weasley's face faded somewhat, replaced by concern.

"Scrimgeour isn't that easy to fool. Once he realizes you only took the opportunity to send him away, he'll definitely suspect your intentions—perhaps even your stance..."

"No, Arthur. I didn't lie."

Kingsley said calmly, "Several council members really are pushing this proposal. They claim the Auror Office has too much independence and uses overly harsh methods, so it needs 'more effective oversight.'"

"...Oversight?"

Mr. Weasley frowned.

Though he did not like Scrimgeour either, one's lips gone meant one's teeth would grow cold. Arthur Weasley had grown used to freedom in his own office and liked even less the thought of a pair of watchful eyes beside him