Chapter 1241: Percy’s Speech

Chapter 1241 -57: Percy’s Speech

Percy paused for a moment, cleared his throat, and carefully unfolded a letter from his robe pocket.

“I guess what’s inside is the commendation letter for his Merlin Third-class Medal.”

Fred quietly mocked, “Or it’s the speech draft prepared by the Review Envoy for three days and nights.”

His twin brother nodded in agreement.

Percy looked up, his gaze crossing everyone and landing on a certain invisible point at the end of the hall. With utmost respect, he said:

“Before formally starting, I would like to read a letter first.”

He slightly raised the parchment in his hand.

“This is a letter personally written by Minister Sinckness to Headmaster Dumbledore, and I have obtained Headmaster Dumbledore’s permission, as well as the Minister’s special authorization—”

He finally looked at everyone, holding his chest high, as if he was accepting the admiring gaze from everyone on behalf of Minister Sinckness.

“—to convey the contents of this letter to everyone at Hogwarts.”

“At the same time, it’s to let everyone know that the Minister is always concerned about Hogwarts and cares for each and every one of you present.”

The hall quieted down, and some students showed expressions of being moved.

In the eyes of most people, the Minister of Magic is still an unreachable presence.

Just like Percy back in school, they indeed consciously and unconsciously added all sorts of halos to that “big figure” who governs the British Magic World.

Many firmly believe that the reason why the Minister of Magic can become the Minister is that he is particularly wise, reliable, strong, clear-headed, composed and fair, with a steel-like will and decisiveness.

Even though Fudge was once in office, ordinary wizards still wouldn’t associate words like slick, show-off, condescending, and coward with the Minister of Magic.

Under everyone’s gaze, Percy’s face reddened with excitement. He composed himself and began reading the letter:

“Dear Headmaster Dumbledore:

A serious incident at Ilvermorny Magic School recently—staff providing information about underage students to Muggle organizations due to bloodline discrimination—has deeply concerned the department.”

Percy’s voice was clear and solemn, with intentionally lengthened tones and furrowed brows, as if vividly conveying the Minister’s worried demeanor.

“This is a wake-up call, resounding at the doorstep of every Magic School.

The Ministry of Magic has elevated the issue of underage wizard safety to unprecedented levels of importance.”

He paused, raised his head, scanning the room sternly as if silently emphasizing:

This is no small matter!

Vid glanced around at the Ravenclaw students.

Anthony leaned slightly forward, clenched his fists with a serious expression, showing great agreement.

Luna shook her head left and right, seemingly uninterested, and lowered her head to play with her fingers.

Terry nodded repeatedly, looking somewhat moved.

Michael lightly tutted, not believing this high-sounding rhetoric.

After quickly glancing around, Vid’s gaze returned to the front.

The other professors showed little expression, or furrowed their brows, a bit resistant to this so-called “safety review.”

Only Dumbledore turned to look at Percy, with gentle eyes, showing no indication of inclination.

A few seconds later, Percy lowered his head again and continued in a solemn tone:

“Although the protective system at Hogwarts is personally guarded by you, systemic risk should not rely on personal authority and requires institutional preventive mechanisms.”

Reading to this point, Percy slightly bowed in Dumbledore’s direction, as if indicating:

The Ministry of Magic isn’t distrusting Dumbledore’s abilities, merely suggesting better systems are needed.

Dumbledore nodded, seeming very agreeable.

Subsequently, Percy continued:

“To this end, the department assigns the administrative supervisor of the Magic Law Enforcement Department Auror Command, Merlin Third-class Medal recipient, former Hogwarts male student council president—

Mr. Percy Ignatius Weasley, as the ‘Magic School Safety Review Envoy’, temporarily stationed at Hogwarts.”

The long list of titles left everyone silent.

Many here knew Percy, some were quite familiar, yet they seemed not to know this Percy who, to some extent, resembles Lockhart.

Percy lifted his chin slightly and said with a downward gaze:

“Mr. Weasley’s duties on this trip are to—

Investigate and research the current systems at Hogwarts regarding student privacy protection and external contact management;

Assist the school in identifying potential nodes of information leakage risk;

Ensure students inside and outside of school continuously uphold the Confidentiality Law, protecting themselves and their peers’ private information;

And… ascertain the whereabouts of students who failed to enroll on time, are on long-term leave, or dropped out mid-term, providing all Hogwarts staff and students with a safety alert.”

Theo’s gaze gradually became bewildered.

Because of what Hermione said on the train, although he initially thought it should have nothing to do with him, he decided to pay attention to the matter.

—Hermione and Vid are both very smart.

The things that smart people contemplate are surely more correct than what his awkward mind comes up with.

But seeing Percy seated among the faculty afterwards, Theo relaxed considerably;

Upon hearing the first half of Minister Sinckness’s letter, he felt further reassured.

However, what Percy stated—Percy Weasley’s duties—confused Theo again.

“I didn’t quite get it.” Theo whispered to Leian: “He said… what exactly is he here to do?”

Leian thought for a while: “Ah… This…”

Theo patiently waited for a few seconds to find that this was the only answer his friend could provide.

At the faculty table, Percy had already started smiling slightly, indicating the heavy part was over, and everyone could relax a bit now.

Once again, with a tone mentioning a stranger, he said his own name:

“Mr. Percy Weasley graduated from Hogwarts, served as student prefect for two consecutive years, and became the male student council president before graduation.

The department believes he will complete this task appropriately with the respect of a student and the professionalism of a department member.”

After reading the last sentence, Percy gently folded the parchment, carefully putting it into his pocket, and said:

“I have conveyed Minister Sinckness’s original words, not missing a single word.”

“Next, I’d like to clarify a few points.”

“I am stationed temporarily, aiming to conduct research and visits, not to take over any specific management matters, much less—oh, as some might worry—having the Ministry of Magic send people to watch over Hogwarts.”

Percy smiled slightly, carrying a hint of “we’re the same kind,” and said:

“Just like you, I spent seven years here, stayed up all night writing papers, shouted myself hoarse at the Quidditch Pitch, and was once penalized with point deductions for violating school rules—of course, that was a long time ago.”

A few polite chuckles echoed in the hall.

“So, treat me as a—”

He seemed to deliberate over the words.

“—a friend from the past, an old classmate coming back to visit the alma mater.”

“I won’t rummage around with a panel review manner, nor report anyone.”

“But if you have any ideas, such as suggestions regarding school safety, or if you discover any hazards threatening everyone’s safety, feel free to come to me anytime.”

“My temporary office is located at…”

Percy’s voice paused, turning to look at Dumbledore.

“Second floor of the castle, third room on the left side of the corridor.” The headmaster said gently.

Percy repeated, “Yes, third room on the left side of the corridor—the door will always be open for you, even during curfew hours.”

“But if Mr. Filch catches you, I won’t excuse any students caught wandering at night!”

“After all, during my time at school, I also aided the professors and Mr. Filch in capturing those night-wandering troublemakers!”

This time, the laughter was louder than before, even a few mouths at the Slytherin Long Table twitched gently.

Percy nodded slightly.

“That’s all I have to say, thank you Headmaster Dumbledore for the trust, thank you professors for your tolerance, and thank you everyone here for your willingness to listen to me finish these words.”

“In the time forward, I hope our interactions will be friendly and candid.”

“Thank you all.”

Percy slightly bowed, his gaze lingering on the Gryffindor Long Table for a moment, then took his seat again.