From Azkaban to Hogwarts.

William nodded to indicate that he understood, and then began to study the recruitment regulations of the Ministry of Magic.

-

"Why is Dad here too...?"

Inside the Gryffindor tower, the twins, who should have been full of energy, were somewhat listless—they were among the few students who had absolutely no interest in working for the Ministry of Magic and had originally planned to play a little, not too outrageous, joke today.

But when two students who didn't usually keep in touch cautiously inquired about their fathers' personalities, they were dumbfounded—it turned out their fathers were also involved in this recruitment drive?

"Yes, why is his office expanding its staff?"

The two looked at each other, their faces full of disbelief—for so many years, there had only been two people in that office, and now they've started hiring more people?

They couldn't understand it at all, and finally made a decision in a dejected manner.

"Let's go apply for a chef's job..."

"You mean, go to the cafeteria to freeload?"

"Help them try the new dishes..."

"That's all we can do."

The two shook their heads and walked straight to the kitchen—on this unpleasant day, only the kitchen could offer them some solace.

However, when they made their way through the dense crowd to the cramped kitchen, they were stopped by Slughorn, who was smiling, at the door.

“No,” the old man said with a smile, leaning back in a chair that had been moved from somewhere, and wagged his finger. “Professor McGonagall has given a strict order that neither of you are allowed in the kitchen.”

He did like the talented twins quite a bit, but liking them was one thing, responsibility was another. On this day, he absolutely couldn't let them near the kitchen; it was too dangerous.

"Professor, this is not fair!"

The two looked indignant and tried to gloss over the matter. Although Professor McGonagall's concerns were not without merit, they at least had to express their grievances—Slughorn was a very capable professor, and perhaps he could get some support regarding the potions?

But Slughorn remained calm. "Professor McGonagall instructed me that she had discussed all of this with your father, and that if you have any questions, you can raise them with him."

???

The two looked on in disbelief—they never imagined that their professor, the responsible dean they had known for seven years, could do such a thing!

The two had some suspicions at first, but they couldn't believe it. Who would have thought it would actually be true?

Their dean specifically invited their parents over to keep an eye on them?

In all these years of Gryffindor, which student has ever suffered such injustice?

They're innocent!

Professor Slughorn's smile said it all; the argument was pointless. The two of them left the kitchen dejectedly and went to the dining room, watching enviously as the dishes were served from a distance.

"Hey? Look over there!"

The twins pointed—one of the dishes looked approved, and the chef was called in.

-

"Go Selma!"

The other students who came for the assessment showed some resentment, but they still cheered for Selma, who had been specially called over—because there were too many applicants for the chef position, only students whose dishes passed the test were called over for an interview.

Selma nodded seriously and walked towards the restaurant in her chef's uniform.

"Huh? Fifth graders can participate too?"

The Ministry of Magic personnel accompanying the review were surprised, then looked at the information in their hands—well, it really was a seventh-year graduating student.

But this result...

Well, how should I put it? If it weren't for the fact that they were recruiting chefs, this score would probably be attributed to some connections that led to passing the initial screening. The subsequent interview would likely consist of questions about your father or other relatives' recent health, what they've been up to, and when you'd like to have a meal together, and that would be the end of it.

But today is special—because Minister Fouché is actually here to recruit chefs.

“Selma, um,” he looked down at the document, “your self-introduction says that you are good at cooking several dishes, and that besides your own country’s cuisine, you are best at Chinese food.”

"Yes, sir, I do have some insights."

'You're very confident... If the food from other countries is even 60% as good as it is now, then the meals in the department will really be fine from now on...'

He turned his head and started discussing with several colleagues. Finally, one of the colleagues, who usually enjoys exploring cuisines from various countries, began to ask questions.

"Ah, Chinese food, that's wonderful! We hope the logistics department can provide a wider variety of meals. I'll ask you about a few simple Chinese dishes, and of course, it would be even better if you could prepare a few classic ones..."

"Of course, sir."

"Fried crab triangles, sweet and sour chicken balls, and sesame shrimp toast are my three favorite dishes. Please briefly describe how to cook them..."

???

???

Eh?

Selma's confident face showed a hint of existential doubt—what the hell is this?

In the awkward silence that followed, the interviewer began to whisper with his colleague, sounding uncertain.

"I don't think I said the wrong dish name, but what's with that puzzled look on her face?"

"Are you sure you're not mistaken?"

"Probably not, it's not that difficult... Is she exaggerating?"

"Let's test your knowledge on a few more of our local dishes..."

After a brief exchange, the interviewers straightened up, asked a few more questions about British cuisine, and then asked Selma to prepare one of them.

In less than fifteen minutes, this not-too-difficult dish was ready—and tasted as delicious as ever.

"The local dishes are indeed quite good...maybe she's only good at some local specialties?"

"Ask again."

Do you have any specialty desserts?

"I'm pretty good at avoiding all three."

...

"It's definitely local cuisine... Let me ask you for another common dish..."

"Selma, can you make General Tso's Chicken?"

...

Another round of discussion ensued…

"Alright... Although you were terrible at Chinese cuisine, considering your skillful cooking of your own country's food, I'm making a special exception and hiring you. I hope you can focus on learning Chinese cuisine in the future and not spend too much time on those unknown local dishes—you still need to learn how to make General Tso's Chicken."

...

"Selma, how are you?"

Back in Hufflepuff's lounge, her close classmates surrounded her, but before she could get any information, they started asking her about her well-being and advising her not to take the assessment too seriously—the emotions on their faces were so obvious, did she even need to ask what the result would be?

"It's approved..."

She lowered her head and spat out those words through gritted teeth.

"It's okay, it's okay. The Ministry of Magic only admits so many people a year... You didn't want to end up in Diagon Alley—wait, it's approved?"

"Yes, it passed..."

"Then why don't you go and prepare a big feast to celebrate!"

The people who were initially trying to comfort her suddenly became rude.

"A grand feast?" Selma sighed. "I just want to know what kind of local dishes I've learned..."

-

"Some are happy, some are sad..."

After a long day of interviews, William sat on a chair by the Black Lake, watching groups of students pass by. He sighed as he talked with Lupin and Moody, “But for us, this recruitment was a complete success.”

"Yes, we safely brought the minister over and safely saw him off... although I was a little annoyed that they only realized how bad the food in the department cafeteria was after I left..."

Moody shook his head and looked at the distant Black Lake—everyone in the department was beaming with joy because Fudge had personally overseen the recruitment of a group of excellent chefs, ensuring the quality of the department's canteen.

"It's a good thing overall—if they panic and don't even care about their meals, how can we expect them to work with peace of mind after that person is exposed..."

William smiled and took out some snacks, distributing them to the two of them. Then, a loud wailing sound came from behind them.

"What's going on in this panic?"

As they spoke, the three professors had already drawn their wands, stood up with focused concentration, and were covered in various forms of protection.

"What's wrong? Come here and tell me."

"professor…"

The person who was called over looked aggrieved, and tears were welling up in their eyes.

"Even if you don't get a job from the Ministry of Magic, your life in the wizarding world is just beginning."

William shook his head as he pulled out some papers and handed them to the student in front of him. “Don’t be so discouraged. The Ministry of Magic isn’t the only option. For many graduates, the Ministry of Magic is a good choice, but with your level of ability, do you really care only about a job offer from the Ministry of Magic?”

He knew the student in front of him quite well—his grades were generally in the top ten, and in theory, with so many people being recruited by the Ministry of Magic this time, he should have been a sure thing to get in, but there was nothing he could do about the unexpected event.

"No, Professor, I am..."

"What happened? Tell me slowly."

William's tone softened.

"I'm just so desperate, Professor..."

The student couldn't help but cry again.

"What exactly happened? What is there to despair about..."

"I passed the preliminary test and interview. They said that as long as I go back and go through the department's procedures, the job offer will be basically confirmed."

"This is a good thing..."

"I applied to the International Magical Cooperation Division, and I submitted a paper discussing the positive impact of the treaty signed last year with the U.S. Ministry of Magic on relevant businesses in the British magical community..."

The student started crying again halfway through his sentence, "But, but just now, the magic radio station announced that due to some political reasons, those treaties have been indefinitely suspended..."