Fudge picked up the proposal and turned to the last page.
"What does Crouch want me to do?"
"Submit this proposal to the Wizengamot for deliberation."
Percy said.
"In the Minister's name."
Fudge's hand stopped above the signature line.
"In my name?"
"Mr. Crouch won't submit it himself, Minister."
"Why?"
"Because if he submits it, Madam Bones will look at the name before she looks at the contents."
"If the Department of International Magical Cooperation submits it, she might not even be willing to turn the first page."
"But if you submit it, that will be different."
"Bones will have no reason to oppose it."
Fudge finished the thought.
"Yes."
Percy said.
"She might even become its most enthusiastic supporter. Because once this assessment system is established, those people foisted on her through connections-those useless layabouts coasting on a pure-blood surname-will be the first to be weeded out."
The corner of Fudge's mouth twitched.
He knew whom Percy meant.
At least three deputy division heads in Bones's department had been shoehorned in through personnel recommendations from the Wizengamot.
Bones hated them enough to grind her teeth, but procedures prevented her from acting.
Now someone had handed her a knife.
A legal, procedurally sound, unimpeachable knife.
Fudge tapped the desk, lost in thought for a long while.
Percy struck while the iron was hot.
"Of course, that's merely a little self-serving speculation on Mr. Crouch's part and mine. Perhaps Madam Bones will be more upright than that. We have other reasons, too."
Fudge looked at him.
"First, this is an administrative standardization initiative driven by the Minister."
"Second, the implementing body will be the Examination Authority, not our Director Crouch's people."
"Third, everyone will regard this as a reform personally led by you."
Fudge's fingers stopped.
"Go on."
"Because the people