Thanks to the Ministry of Magic—and perhaps Dumbledore—news of Kyle becoming the Senior Assistant to the Minister for Magic spread like wildfire throughout the wizarding world. The announcement resulted in an influx of letters from all corners.
Some were from people Kyle knew, such as McPhail, who had a knack for stirring up trouble. He sent a set of Senior Prefect robes as a gift, accompanied by a letter that read:
"You can't wear your school uniform to those important occasions."
Kyle had a feeling McPhail was gloating more than anything else, though there was no solid evidence—just a hunch.
Most of the letters came from unfamiliar senders, though judging by their contents, many seemed to hail from the Ministry of Magic.
"Oh, Cuthbert Mockridge," Cedric said, pointing at one of the letters. "My father mentioned him to me. He's the head of the Goblin Liaison Office."
"And Gilbert Wimple from the Committee on Experimental Charms—we met him during our trip to France."
Cedric sifted through the towering pile of letters, scanning for names he recognized.
After a while, his hand paused abruptly.
"Hufflepuff Common Room, second armchair on the left, for Cedric Diggory."
"A letter for me?" Cedric stared at it in surprise, then reasoned that in the chaos of deliveries, one of his letters must have accidentally ended up in Kyle's pile.
But when he spotted the sender's name, he dismissed the thought and opened the envelope.
"Who sent it?" Kyle asked.
"Oh, it's from my dad," Cedric replied. "I think he wanted to ask…"
His voice trailed off as his expression grew increasingly puzzled.
"That's odd. My dad said he'd send me some books about Magical Creatures tomorrow, and he mentioned looking forward to working with me…"
Cedric muttered to himself, "Does he want to work at the joke shop too? That doesn't make sense. Not to mention whether Fred and George would agree—and what does that have to do with Magical Creatures?"
"Maybe you're going to work in the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures," Kyle suggested casually. "It's a good idea to read up while you can."
"No," Cedric shook his head firmly. "I already told him I wanted to help at the joke shop, and he agreed... Wait."
Cedric suddenly turned to Kyle, narrowing his eyes. "This has something to do with you, doesn't it?"
Kyle's expression remained innocent as he opened another letter. "Ah, that's right," he admitted. "I wrote to Mr. Diggory at lunchtime, asking if he'd like to work with you. You know, my current status might help grease the wheels a bit, and your grades are excellent—it shouldn't be too difficult."
"Mr. Diggory must have agreed."
Cedric's eye twitched. "But I already promised Fred and George I'd help run the joke shop with them!"
"Don't worry about that; they'll still be around..." Kyle trailed off, waving another envelope in Cedric's face. "Oh, here it is."
Noticing the envelope bore Mrs. Weasley's handwriting, Cedric peered over Kyle's shoulder as he opened it.
The letter read:
Dear Kyle,
I saw today's paper and the commendation it contained. I was genuinely happy but not surprised because I know you are perfectly capable of doing the job.
P.S. Of course, I would like Fred and George to find a proper and stable job, but I would prefer if they entered the Ministry of Magic on their own merits, without your help.
Arthur says there are many in the Ministry who are unhappy with someone your age holding such an important position, and they are waiting for you to make a mistake. So, I must refuse your kind offer.
Have a good time at Hogwarts.
...
Waiting for me to make a mistake? That's great!
Kyle quickly grabbed a piece of parchment and scribbled:
'Don't worry, Mrs. Weasley. It is the duty of the Senior Assistant to the Minister for Magic to find outstanding employees for the Ministry.
I can assure you that Fred and George fully meet the requirements, and Minister Fudge agrees.
Once Mr. Weasley has helped them fill out the application, they can start working for the Ministry as soon as they graduate.'
Calling for Ratton, Kyle handed him the letter and instructed him to deliver it promptly.
Cedric, observing all of this, was at a loss for words. After a moment of hesitation, he muttered, "Fred and George are going to kill you."
"That's fine," Kyle replied nonchalantly, waving his hand as though dismissing the idea. "They can't beat me, and besides, I have Mrs. Weasley's support. There's nothing to worry about."
"But it's always been their dream to open a joke shop," Cedric protested.
"That's not a conflict," Kyle said with a smirk. "There's no rule saying you can't own a joke shop while working for the Ministry. I'll have Dobby and Kreacher help out at the shop, and I can even provide some free products. It won't interfere with the shop's opening at all."
Kyle's eyes gleamed with amusement. "And besides, they laughed all day when they heard I was joining the Ministry. Secretly, I think they like the idea of working there too. Tsk, they're lucky—they'll be getting two salaries for one job."
Cedric sighed heavily. "They only have themselves to blame," he muttered. "Calling you 'Percy's Boss' and 'Minister Material' all day was bound to backfire. But honestly, I can't imagine Fred and George sitting in an office, writing reports and processing paperwork."
"And what about me?" Cedric asked after a pause, muttering under his breath. "I only laughed for a little while. That's got to count for something, right?"
Kyle looked at him with mock indignation. "That's nonsense. We've all gone to the Ministry of Magic now—how can you possibly feel comfortable hanging around outside?"
Feel comfortable... Cedric wanted to argue, but he bit his tongue. Saying that would only make things worse.
He knew his friends—well, if he could even call them that—all too well. Fred and George might punch Kyle when they found out, but they'd likely make up in no time. And once they had an excuse to stand together, they'd turn on the real outsider: him.
Cedric shook his head. Deep down, he knew he wouldn't have minded pulling the same stunt. So Fred and George, with their famously low moral bottom lines, would survive.
Besides, it wasn't the worst thing in the world. Whether he worked at the joke shop or the Ministry, it made little difference to Cedric. And if the Ministry turned out to be unbearable, they could always resign.
"I think it'd be better if we found an excuse to make them write their own applications," Cedric suggested thoughtfully. "If Mr. Weasley applies on their behalf, they might not take it seriously."
"Good point," Kyle said with a chuckle. "You really are devious."
"And so are you."
The two laughed together as they began brainstorming ways to trick the Weasley twins into submitting their applications themselves. Meanwhile, Kanna, who had been quietly listening, finally had enough. With an exasperated sigh, she picked up her quill and assignments and relocated to a table farther away.
Over the next few days, the Ministry of Magic became the hottest topic at Hogwarts. The four Heads of House saw it as an excellent opportunity and encouraged top students to submit applications for internships.
Cedric was the first to act. The next day, he brought his completed application to Professor Sprout. He'd initially considered submitting it to Umbridge, as she represented the Ministry of Magic, but Kyle had dissuaded him.
Kyle, aware of Umbridge's lingering resentment—he'd taken over many of her duties and undermined her relationship with Fudge—warned Cedric that she'd likely make things difficult for him. Given their friendship, Cedric would be a prime target.
Professor Sprout, on the other hand, was enthusiastic about Cedric's application. As one of Hufflepuff's most outstanding students and the first to apply, she took the matter seriously, even including a glowing letter of recommendation with his submission.
The Ministry responded swiftly. By Friday, an owl delivered their reply to Hogwarts: Cedric's application had been approved. He was now officially an intern at the Ministry of Magic.
Unlike Kyle, however, Cedric's appointment didn't warrant any public announcements within the castle. Moreover, his salary was a modest seven Galleons—a mere fraction of a typical Ministry employee's wage, and nowhere near Kyle's full salary.
But Cedric didn't mind.
"Look," Cedric said, spreading the letter out on the table. "It says here that we only need to go to the Ministry of Magic on Saturdays—not every day—and seven Galleons is pretty good."
"Tomorrow is Saturday," Kanna pointed out. "Kyle, are you going too?"
"Yes," Kyle replied, pulling out another letter that had just arrived from the Ministry.
"By train?"
"I don't think so; that would be too slow," Kyle said. "By the time the train got to London, we'd basically have to head back. It's the Floo Network. The Ministry has opened a new route connecting directly to Umbridge's office."
"That's much more convenient," Kanna mused, glancing at Kyle. "Do you think I should write an application too?"
"Would Professor Snape approve of you working for the Ministry?" Kyle asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Probably not."
"No, I'm sure he wouldn't," Kyle said with a knowing smile. "Besides, Ministry work is pretty boring. You wouldn't like it."
Cedric, sitting nearby, glanced at Kyle and made a loud smacking noise. "Tsk. That's not what you said yesterday."
"Nonsense. You're different," Kyle replied nonchalantly. "You had Mr. Diggory's consent."
Cedric raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure that's the only reason?"
"If you keep talking, I'll transfer you to the Pest Advisory Board."
"Ho!"
...
The next day—Saturday—Kyle and Cedric arrived at Umbridge's office promptly at 8:30 a.m. They were joined by three other students: two from Slytherin and one from Ravenclaw.
Fred and George were conspicuously absent. Kyle and Cedric had agreed it would be best to delay sharing the "good news" with them until the end of the school year. It would be even better if Mrs. Weasley could be present to soften the blow. For now, the twins remained blissfully unaware of their future career plans.
"Very good, you're all here," Umbridge said, opening the door and ushering them in.
Professor McGonagall was already inside, presumably there to accompany her students.
Umbridge, determined to ignore Kyle, wore a forced smile as she addressed the group. "You are all outstanding students at Hogwarts, and I am very pleased you have made the right decision to join the Ministry of Magic."
She grabbed a handful of Floo Powder, her high-pitched voice grating as she continued. "Minerva, you—"
"Thank you, Professor Umbridge," McGonagall interrupted crisply, not waiting for her to finish. She strode into the fireplace and called out, "Ministry of Magic."
In an instant, she vanished.
Umbridge's expression soured, her face tightening as she glared at the empty fireplace. She had clearly intended to send McGonagall away, but it was now a moot point.
"Everyone else, follow," Umbridge said, taking a deep breath and struggling to maintain her fake smile.
When the group arrived at the Ministry via the fireplace, they spotted Professor McGonagall standing not far away, accompanied by Minister Fudge.
"Welcome, welcome," Fudge said warmly, striding toward them.
"Oh, Minister, you've come to meet us personally," Umbridge gushed, her voice higher and more shrill than usual.
The two Slytherins in the group looked visibly flattered by Fudge's presence.
"You are all the future hope of the Ministry of Magic, so of course, I had to come myself," Fudge said, beaming. "Come along, I don't suppose you can wait to get started."
He led the group toward the lift, enthusiastically pointing things out along the way.
"That's the Registry, where every visitor has to register their wand... Of course, you don't need to."
"That's the Fountain of Magical Brethren, where all the proceeds go to St. Mungo's..."
As they walked, various Ministry employees greeted Fudge, and he responded to each with a friendly word or nod.
"I don't often come to the Great Hall," Fudge confided as they entered the lift. "It's always so crowded and lively—it takes forever to get away. I'd much rather spend my time working."
"That's because you're so dedicated to your work, Minister," Umbridge chimed in eagerly. "Still, I'd say you should make time for yourself."
"I'll try," Fudge replied with a gracious smile.
At the back of the lift, Professor McGonagall pressed her lips into a tight line, resolutely pretending she hadn't heard any of it. I should have let Snape come instead, she thought grimly.
Since the lift was nearly empty, each stop meant a student had reached their destination.
"Fourth floor, Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures..."
"That's me," Cedric said, waving at Kyle. "I'll see you tonight."
"See you tonight," Kyle replied.
Cedric stepped out, followed by Professor McGonagall, leaving Kyle, Fudge, and Umbridge as the lift ascended further.
"How did it feel?" Fudge asked Kyle with a grin. "Were you surprised when you saw the job announcement?"
"Surprised?" Kyle echoed. "I was shocked—I thought it was a prank."
"A prank? Certainly not!" Fudge laughed. "This is an unprecedented initiative. We had many applicants, but we decided that the O.W.L. results of fifth-year students and above would serve as a key criterion."
The lift arrived at the top floor, stopping in front of a door with a polished brass plaque that read: Office of the Minister's Personal Assistant.
"Here's your office, as promised," Fudge said, opening the door. Then he turned to Umbridge. "By the way, Dolores, those students are visiting the Ministry for the first time. They're bound to have questions and need guidance. As their professor, I think it would be appropriate for you to assist them."
Umbridge, who had been preparing to follow Fudge inside, froze mid-step, her eyes wide with disbelief.
"Is there a problem?" Fudge asked, tilting his head.
"N-no, not at all," she stammered, her voice trembling slightly. "I'll go right away."
"Thank you for your trouble," Fudge said dismissively, already stepping into the office without a backward glance.
Kyle, lingering by the door, caught Umbridge's seething glare. Her expression was so venomous that he was certain she'd have Jinxed him on the spot if they weren't in the Ministry—and if Fudge hadn't been there.
"What are you waiting for, Professor?" Kyle said with an innocent smile. "You'd better hurry, or you'll miss the lift and have to wait a long time."
Umbridge's face turned an alarming shade of red, and her sharp, shallow breaths made her look even more toad-like than usual.
Kyle, unfazed, walked into his office without another glance in her direction.