Hogwarts: I Am an Exemplary Wizard

Chapter 600: Chapter 598: Order of Phoenix Auxiliary Members

”Do you know where Kai used magic?”

Looking at Hermione’s reaction, George said indignantly, ”The Leaky Cauldron, it’s unbelievable!”

”That’s impossible!” Hermione blurted out, ”I’ve read in books that the purpose of the Trace is to detect magical reactions in a certain area. In a place like the Leaky Cauldron, where wizards gather, the Ministry of Magic wouldn’t be able to tell who used magic.”

”But we saw the letter with our own eyes,” Fred said.

”And we’ve confirmed it many times, there’s no mistake.”

”But...”

Hermione wanted to say something more, but Mrs. Weasley interrupted her.

”Alright, dear.” She led the two of them to the kitchen, ”No matter what, they’re safe now, and that’s enough.

”I imagine you must be starving; I’ve made beef pies and roast chicken, along with all kinds of jam bread...”

Mr. Weasley didn’t come in with them, ”Alright, I have to go.”

”At least have lunch first.”

”No, there’s a lot of work waiting for me, I can’t stay away for too long.”

With that, Mr. Weasley disapparated on the spot.

Fred and George were also immediately eager; they too disapparated, moving themselves from the hallway to the kitchen.

”That’s enough, you two.” Mrs. Weasley was startled and shouted loudly, ”You’re allowed to use magic, but it doesn’t mean you have to use magic for everything. And I’ve said it many times, don’t disapparate in the house!”

”Alright, Mum!” Fred and George replied, then grinned and ran off.

Kai, knowing the two of them, figured they probably didn’t take it seriously.

During the meal, Professor Moody and Tonks returned too. The group sat together as Mrs. Weasley served beef pie and mashed potatoes onto everyone’s plates.

”So, you’ve joined the Order of the Phoenix too?” Tonks said excitedly, and her hair turned a bright gold.

”Actually, I’m not quite sure,” Kai replied. Dumbledore hadn’t explicitly mentioned this to him, but since Mr. Weasley invited him over, it must mean he had gotten Dumbledore’s prior approval.

So, Kai wasn’t sure if he counted as a member of the Order of the Phoenix or if he was more of a temporary member?

”No worries, I think Dumbledore believes you’re not of age yet,” Tonks said, ”just like those three over there.”

She glanced at Harry and the others sitting opposite them.

”Wait...” Ron quickly said, ”Aren’t we members of the Order of the Phoenix either?”

”Of course not,” Tonks chuckled, ”Every official member of the Order of the Phoenix has to sign a magic contract. Have you guys signed one?”

”Um...” Ron and Harry looked at each other, having never seen any magic contracts.

”After all, you’re still students,” Lupin said, ”But as long as you’re in this house, you’re trustworthy. When you graduate, you’ll naturally join the Order of the Phoenix, I promise.”

”But that’ll take another three years.” Ron sighed, poking dejectedly at the mashed potatoes on his plate.

He had thought he was already part of the Order of the Phoenix and had been excited for a long time, only to find out it was all for nothing.

”Don’t say that, Remus.” Tonks’s hair turned a pale pink, ”There are conditions for joining the Order of the Phoenix. What if their grades are too poor and they don’t meet the requirements?”

”What?” Ron said instinctively, ”Grades matter too?”

”Of course,” Moody said gruffly, ”The Order of the Phoenix is there to fight the Death Eaters. If you’re not strong enough, you’d just be going to your death. It’s better to stay somewhere safer.”

Saying this, he lowered his head, sniffing the beef pie in front of him, seemingly checking if it was poisoned.

This action made Mrs. Weasley very displeased.

”Alastor, I made all this myself.”

Moody didn’t reply.

Of course, he knew that, but a habit held for decades wasn’t something easily changed.

If he didn’t check, he wouldn’t eat even his own cooking.

Mrs. Weasley angrily served him the smallest portion of mashed potatoes, probably just a teaspoonful.

But Moody himself didn’t mind.

Everyone enjoyed this meal, feeling delighted for Kai and Harry.

As everyone helped themselves to the food, the conversation soon turned to Moody and Sirius.

”Are you guys going to Hogwarts again this year?” Harry asked, ”To continue teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts.”

”I’m definitely going,” Sirius said without hesitation, ”I’m sure that curse has worn off, so what is there to worry about.”

”Fantastic!” Harry said excitedly, but the next second, he suddenly covered his forehead with his hand.

Only, everyone’s attention was focused on Sirius, not noticing this.

”What about you, Alastor?” Tonks asked.

Moody hesitated for a moment, not answering.

Ever since Voldemort was resurrected, he was destined to be very busy. Whether defending against Voldemort’s attacks or investigating the Death Eaters’ whereabouts, it required considerable time.

But at the same time, the poor Defense Against the Dark Arts education of Hogwarts students worried him greatly.

After all, the students would soon face Voldemort, and having no ability to protect themselves wouldn’t do, so he had been pondering how to choose recently.

As for Sirius... to be honest, his skills were adequate, but his teaching ability was mediocre at best, just barely passing.

”We’ll see,” Moody said, cutting a small piece of pie with his dinner knife and putting it in his mouth, ”Perhaps Dumbledore can find a better professor.”

”I think that’s unlikely,” Kai muttered.

Though not sure about the situation this year, the curse probably hadn’t been lifted.

And normally, no one would want to take this job. If anyone did, it would surely be Dumbledore forcing a friend of his into it.

He has plenty of friends anyway; catching one a year would certainly last another five or six decades without a problem.

In the cheerful atmosphere, the luncheon gradually came to an end.

Afterwards, Tonks and Moody returned to the Ministry of Magic, while Kai found Sirius, who was chatting with Lupin.

”What did you say? The library?”

”Exactly,” Kai nodded, ”The Blake family has lasted so long, there must be quite a few books here, I want to take a look.”

”That, let me think...” Sirius frowned slightly, pondering for a long time, but couldn’t remember where the family library was.

He knew there was a study upstairs, which used to be his grandfather’s room with a wall of books, but that couldn’t be what Kai meant.

”Kreacher, Kreacher!” With no leads, Sirius called out loudly.

He might not know, but he wasn’t the only one here.

Soon, Kreacher, the house-elf, appeared in front of them.

”Master Sirius, Master Kai,” the little elf bowed and said, looking very excited, ”Would you like some raspberry cookies?”

”We’ve already had lunch,” Sirius said offhandedly, then asked, ”Do you know where the books are kept here... I don’t mean the study, but the library-like place.”

”Of course, Kreacher knows,” the little elf stated proudly, ”The old master specifically instructed Kreacher to guard it no matter what, saying it was the most important treasure of the Blake family.”

Kreacher suddenly started sobbing, ”Master Regulus’s favorite place was the library, and now Master Sirius is finally asking Kreacher about it too.”

A trace of embarrassment flashed on Sirius’s face.

Honestly, if Kai hadn’t asked, he might never have thought about where to find the library in his life.

But seeing the house-elf sobbing with snot and tears, he felt it inappropriate to tell the truth.

”Yes, indeed.” Sirius said, his eyes wandering, ”Take us there, we want to have a look inside.”

The little elf glanced at Kai, his expression appearing somewhat conflicted and hesitant.

Because he was previously instructed that only the Blake family could enter that place.

”What?”

Since Kreacher hadn’t responded, Sirius couldn’t help but frown, ”Can’t we go?”

”Of course you can,” the little elf made his decision at once, ”Even though Master Kai isn’t a member of the Blake family, he brought Master Regulus back, and even the old master would certainly agree.

”Kreacher will take you there!”

...