Resignation

knock knock

Ciaran Frémont knocked on the door of the office of the Director of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. There was a clean and neat sign on it that read "Amelia Bones (Director of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement)".

"Come in!"

Ciaran pushed the door open and walked in. The office was also clean and tidy. Behind a desk sat a witch with a wide build and a square chin. Her grey hair was cut short, and she wore a pair of monocles. The expression on her face was breathtakingly intimidating.

Ciaran felt that if he had never awakened his memory, he would have been overawed by the majesty of Amelia Bones and unable to express his request to resign. However, after he awakened his memory, he did not hold her in as much regard. Despite the significant gap in magical power between them, Frémont knew that even though Amelia Bones was imposing, she would never take action against her employees.

Ms. Bones was not a Death Eater. On the contrary, many of her relatives had died at the hands of Death Eaters and even Voldemort. Therefore, Ms. Bones deeply hated such atrocities.

Ms. Bones put down the thick document in her hand, stared at Frémont through her spectacles, and said in a loud, deep voice: "Ciaran, are you sure you want to resign? Resign from your job in the Ministry of Magic? You have to understand, working in the Ministry of Magic is no easy feat. It's very difficult to find a good job outside. I believe that working in the Office for the Prohibition of Abuse of Magic can be considered a relatively good position in the magical world."

"Sorry," Ciaran replied. Now that he had made up his mind—he had already submitted his resignation letter—he would not back down. If he failed to secure the teaching position, he would travel the world. He just wanted to experience the magical world. Life wouldn't be in vain. The original person, Ciaran, had spent their entire life in the British magical world and rarely ventured into the Muggle world.

"May I know the reason?" It was still a loud voice.

"I think this job is not suitable for me..." Frémont began, seeing Ms. Bones frown. He paused for a moment, then shrugged and continued, "Alright, I'll tell you the truth."

Ms. Bones's frown softened.

"Hogwarts is opening a new course and needs information about a new professor. Director, are you aware of this?" Frémont asked.

"Of course, it's a significant development," Ms. Bones nodded, then furrowed her brow again and said, "You want to go to Hogwarts?" Her tone, however, was affirmative.

"The director has a keen eye," Ciaran smiled. "Ever since I graduated from Hogwarts, I've wanted to return as a teacher. This seems like the perfect opportunity."

"As far as I know, there are many applicants. With all due respect, Ciaran, I don't think it's likely for you to become a professor of the new subject at Hogwarts," Ms. Bones said bluntly.

"Of course, I understand that," Ciaran spread his hands and smiled. "But if you don't try, how will you know if you can't do it?"

Ms. Bones stared at Ciaran for a long moment without changing her gaze. Ciaran remained calm and composed.

"Well, since it's your decision... very well, I approve," Ms. Bones said. "However, Ciaran, if you don't succeed—I hope you do, of course, congratulations on becoming the new Hogwarts professor—one of my nieces is also studying at Hogwarts, in Hufflepuff House. If you decide to return to the Ministry of Magic, you'll likely have to retake the relevant exams."

Ciaran left Ms. Bones' office, returned to his seat, and retrieved his wand from his coat pocket—a twelve-inch wand made of cherry wood, with a core of fire dragon heartstring, crafted by Ollivander in Diagon Alley. With a tap on his luggage, the once-heavy items became as light as feathers, easy to carry.

Ciaran gathered his belongings and bid farewell to his colleagues.

By the time he left the office, half an hour had passed. He walked through a bustling, noisy open area divided into many small cubicles, where people chatted and laughed, creating a lively atmosphere.

Ciaran walked past it all, knowing full well where he was—the Auror Headquarters, the office the original person had aspired to enter, second only to Hogwarts.

"Ciaran, Ciaran!" Someone called his name from behind.

"Oh, it's Arthur. How have you been?" Ciaran turned around and smiled.

A thin man, slightly bald, but with bright red hair—the unmistakable mark of the Weasley family.

The visitor was Arthur Weasley, patriarch of the Weasley family. He wore a green running shirt and glasses, his face filled with concern.

"Ciaran, I heard someone say you're quitting your job?" Mr. Weasley asked eagerly.

Ciaran raised the wooden box and smiled. "Isn't it obvious?"

"Oh, Ciaran, I must say, that's a really poor choice you've made!" Mr. Weasley exclaimed, ready to persuade Frémont. Suddenly, someone emerged from the Auror office and called out, "Excuse me!"

The two stepped aside.

Mr. Weasley also worked in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement at the Ministry of Magic, but in the Office for the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts, not the Office for the Misuse of Magic. To be honest, Ciaran had a better office than Mr. Weasley, but Mr. Weasley was the director of his department, even if he only had one old man under him.

"Ciaran, what's your next move? Don't tell me you're retiring. You're only twenty-five, not even twenty-six yet," Mr. Weasley said. He and Ciaran's parents had a good relationship, and he believed he had a responsibility to guide Ciaran.

"I'm applying for the new professorship at Hogwarts," Ciaran said truthfully. There was no need to hide it.

"The new professorship at Hogwarts?" Mr. Weasley seemed momentarily stunned, then said, "Well, yes, that's a good choice indeed. It's a pity I'm so interested in Muggle artefacts, otherwise I might have considered teaching as well. Of course, I also understand I don't have the qualifications for it."

"Ciaran, I'm not saying you lack the ability. You're a remarkable young man, I've always known that," Mr. Weasley said, patting Frémont on the shoulder. "I wish you the best of luck! Maybe you'll end up teaching Percy, Fred, George, Ron, and Ginny."

"Thanks!" Ciaran smiled, watching as Mr. Weasley returned to his office without further objection.

Applying for the new professorship at Hogwarts seemed to be a choice recognized by people, even if it meant losing his job at the Ministry of Magic. Ciaran had submitted his resignation letter out of sheer enthusiasm, and he hadn't even attended the interview yet, so it was uncertain whether he'd pass Professor Dumbledore's scrutiny. It was a somewhat risky decision, but one Frémont was willing to take.

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