July 1st, 1990.
This was a day destined to be recorded in the history of the British wizarding world—and even the wizarding world across Europe.
After weeks of negotiations and political maneuvering, Cornelius Fudge finally achieved his goal and was officially elected the new Minister for Magic.
From early morning, congratulatory owls from Ministries across the world flooded London's skies. Newspapers competed to report the news.
At the breakfast table in the Shafiq manor, Richard held that day's Daily Prophet. He stared at the front-page photograph of Cornelius waving from a podium and let out a faint, ambiguous sigh.
"Honestly, I still think Barty Crouch would've been better suited for the job," the older wizard said, tapping his plate with a silver fork. "He's aggressive, yes—but he has skill and resolve. Unfortunately…"
He paused briefly before continuing.
"That son of his becoming a Death Eater was like a bomb. Blew away nearly half his support overnight. After the war, his reputation never recovered."
Richard shook his head. "Still, it's peacetime now. Someone like Cornelius, who is good at smoothing things over and posing no obvious threat… will do well enough, I suppose."
"Mhm," William replied absently.
He was polishing a collection of small objects on the table with a soft cloth, though his mind was elsewhere.
Special contributions… he had read the system description carefully. Positions like becoming a high-ranking Ministry official counted.
So if one of his students became Minister for Magic one day…
How many points would that amount to?
Judging by the scale of Cornelius's election, surely the reward wouldn't be small.
"Hiss—"
An orange tail crept quietly onto the table. Otto seemed fascinated by the lifelike miniature stone busts arranged there. The left head flicked its tongue, trying to lick a spear-bearing statue.
"Don't touch that, Otto."
William reacted instantly, grabbing the Runespoor and tossing it onto a nearby sofa.
Those were tools he had prepared for Hogwarts—he couldn't let them be tampered with.
The statues, styled after ancient Greek busts, were alchemical constructs with a specific purpose. William was confident they would earn him points under [Campus Development].
If he was going to improve Hogwarts, proper preparation was essential.
---
As time passed, Diagon Alley grew increasingly lively.
Sunlight pierced the clouds, glinting off shop windows. Young witches and wizards bustled about with shopping lists, preparing for the upcoming school year.
William walked toward Knockturn Alley, carrying a bulging shopping bag, when a hesitant voice called from behind him.
"William? William Shafiq?"
He stopped and turned to see a familiar head of bright red hair.
"Arthur," William said warmly, stepping forward to shake the hand of the slightly balding, kind-faced wizard.
"I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me!" Arthur Weasley beamed, quickly introducing his family. "This is my wife Molly, and these two—Fred and George. They'll be in their second year at Hogwarts this year."
"We're here to buy their books. Percy and Charlie went off on their own…"
The identical red-haired twins studied William curiously, brimming with restless energy.
After some pleasantries, Arthur glanced around and lowered his voice.
"Listen, Willy. Now that Cornelius has become Minister, he's suspended the investigations against Ministry staff to show goodwill. I heard from friends inside the Ministry—despite the… ah… incident, no real harm was done. If you return now, you could probably get your position back."
William shook his head gently.
"Thank you, Arthur. But I've already found a new job. I won't be returning."
He had received a letter from Barty Crouch days earlier promising reinstatement if he completed a simple process. But William had politely declined.
"A new job?" Arthur blinked.
William looked at Fred and George and smiled.
"I think I'll be seeing these two energetic young gentlemen again soon. I've accepted Dumbledore's invitation. I'll be teaching at Hogwarts starting in September."
"You're the new professor?" Arthur and Molly exclaimed. "Defence Against the Dark Arts?"
"No. Alchemy."
"Ah… Alchemy. That's… good. Very good," Arthur said politely, though he knew little about the subject beyond its reputation for being difficult and obscure.
"Alchemy?" Fred and George exchanged glances.
"…Is it true?" Fred asked.
"The newspaper said—" George continued.
"Did you really turn the Minister into a balloon and stick him to the ceiling?" they asked in unison.
"Fred! George!" Molly's eyes widened as she pulled them away.
William crouched slightly, smiling with amusement.
"What? Interested in learning that spell?"
The twins nodded enthusiastically.
William didn't promise anything. After a few more pleasantries, he said his goodbyes and left.
Watching him disappear into the crowd, Arthur recalled their first meeting.
William's former Experimental Charms Committee often worked with Arthur's Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office. Items cursed or illegally enchanted were sent to Arthur first, then forwarded to William's department if necessary.
Arthur had noticed something unusual.
Most wizards had little interest in Muggle objects—often bordering on disdain.
Ministry officials were even less interested.
Pure-blood aristocrats least of all.
Yet William, who fit all those categories, had shown genuine curiosity about magically modified Muggle objects.
Arthur remembered a case involving enchanted Muggle firearms whose bullets could track targets.
Most wizards dismissed them as barbaric toys.
William had personally taken the case and brought the weapons back to his laboratory.
A very strange wizard indeed, Arthur mused.