"Simple?"
The woman's fingertips unconsciously traced over the gradually darkening, dark blue flame-like pattern on her wrist. Beneath the icy sensation, a faintly burning pulse began to emerge.
She nearly understood completely now, the purpose of these people.
To exploit William Richard's character flaw of being "overly arrogant" to achieve their own goals, then, she actually only needed to follow the original plan...
But, just as a saint would not be defeated by the same trick twice, she, being Athena, was very clear about it... Wait, where did this common sense come from?
However, William suffered a loss just last time (if indeed it was a loss), surely, he wouldn't be somewhat prepared for this, or, even if the previous entrapment didn't teach him any lesson, would her reminder in such circumstances as a goodwill gesture improve future situations...
Having grown accustomed to being a "double-agent," Athena fell into contemplation.
Or rather, did that fellow really remain completely unaware...?
...
Meanwhile, elsewhere.
"...Ah, the wait is getting a bit anxious."
William stood atop a wooden crate, two people tall, looking up at the cloudless sky at a 45° angle, reflecting with a certain sentimentality.
To smoothly pull off a stunt before Grindelwald, William had left the shop before receiving any news, which now led him to be like a player in a game who had momentarily lost the main quest guidance, only able to resolve the randomly triggered attack events by the roadside—
"We'll take care of cleaning up from here on—"
A man in an Auror uniform quickly walked in, though appearing somewhat tired, he still made strides with a determined aura—Rufus Scrimgeour spoke, without a change in the serious expression on his face, "Thank you for your cooperation, not acting on behalf of the Ministry of Magic to do anything... inappropriate to these lunatics."
"...You're welcome."
William shifted the strawberry lollipop in his mouth with his tongue, turning his head towards the Head of the British Ministry of Magic's Auror Office beside him—he had to admit, compared to Fudge, this Mr. Rufus Scrimgeour seemed more suited to be Minister of Magic, just from the square face and the thick eyebrows, one could tell the righteousness in his heart—
Not to mention his sense of responsibility, the fact that even after achieving the post of head, he still occasionally rushed to the frontline demonstrated his character clearly.
But unfortunately, he needed someone like Fudge, a manageable pushover, in a high position to pave the way for his plans, whereas if he switched to a Minister known for strong resolve and stubborn integrity, it'd be a headache for him instead.
Moreover, he could sense that this old lion in front of him had some objections towards him, given Dumbledore hadn't planned on taking the rap for those "cases" before...
What?
What cases are you asking about?
Perhaps things like "The Azkaban Explosion," "The Death of Nearly a Hundred Death Eaters"...or the like?
Had it not been for taking down Voldemort, just these names were enough to have William in Azkaban until reincarnation... No, Azkaban was blown up, and although it was predominantly Voldemort and his bunch of Death Eaters who did it, many people already knew that it was actually William's setup that got Voldemort in there.
The reason being Dumbledore would, at inexplicable times, choose honesty, even though William believed the old man was intentionally irritating him for being deliberately left out of the plan, though all this was trivial, as he had nothing to hide from the public—
On the contrary, the more famous he was in this regard, the more advantageous it was for his branding and no need to recruit the likes of Gilderoy Lockhart for endorsements, he could do it himself.
And that's also why it wasn't strange for the Auror to harbor objections towards him since blowing up Azkaban left quite a few fugitives at large—even Voldemort's charisma wasn't strong enough to retain every scoundrel, and most resorted back to their old ways once out.
For instance, the bunch that William just caught attempting to use Portkeys for Lobaloog smuggling.
Thinking of this, William jumped down from the crate, patting the other person's shoulder, "Don't mind it, that's because your response time was much faster than Scotland Yard, otherwise..."
He looked back at those being tied up by Aurors, shrugged, and chose not to continue.
"Mr. Scrimgeour, we are good here—"
At this moment, a voice broke off Scrimgeour's hesitant attempt to speak, as a young Auror with red hair approached to report.
Often, the depiction of "a head of red hair" naturally brings certain individuals to mind, as William looked at Percy Weasley, who had undergone significant changes from the image in his memory. His brows furrowed, seemingly unrecognizing, "Percy?" Initially reluctant to confirm, as this man, aside from the facial features, bore no resemblance to the Percy he knew.
Skin too dark for a Caucasian, a scar stretching from the wing of the nose to the corner of the mouth, and an aura that's been through trials—
"...William, long time no see."
It wasn't till Scrimgeour walked away that Percy put on a façade of just noticing William, cleared his throat, and greeted in a low voice.
Indeed it was Percy, unmistakable once he spoke, that naturally ostentatious posture—seventeen years of habit were not so easily altered, "Yes, it has been a while." William paused, "Was it half a year ago? I remember you were transferred to the Centaur Liaison Office back then..."
An office that had no Centaur to liaise with.
"I stayed there for two months with no... progress, I really couldn't see any future prospects, so I looked for another avenue."
"To become an Auror?"
"Since there was no room for advancement in the civilian posts, unless I could outlast the Minister's nephew retiring—but he's the same age as me, and rather, it feels more probable to wait out the old man—" Percy glanced behind at Scrimgeour scolding a few Aurors, "—clearly more likely."
Perhaps due to changes in mindset and living conditions, Percy spoke with less of that rigid demeanor, now resembling Charlie more.
"So, how does it feel?" William nodded, continuing to ask.
"Thanks to you, there's work for us trainee Aurors every day, endless cases, criminals to be caught."
Percy sighed, face showing a touch of bitterness, but there was no genuine grievance towards William, "With many opportunities, the promotion is swift as well." He instinctively touched the scar on his mouth corner, "Though mom does have her concerns, thinking the job is too dangerous—before, it was always Charlie who got scolded."
"It doesn't matter, all parents are like that—the key is, how do you feel?"
"Very well, William, I feel... fine!"
"Keep at it. Even though the position of chairman of the International Confederation of Wizards is taken, I can always find a way to get you a Minister of Magic spot when the time comes—"
"...At least draft a plan before such big talk."
Seeing Percy didn't buy it at all, William didn't bother explaining, aware the understated bravado held a unique enjoyment—and in secret manipulation of a national Ministry of Magic sounded too villainous in detracting from his shining (though not truly) public image aura.
However, seeing this fellow who was once half a friend of his pull himself together brought William some cheer.
"Assembly!"
"I must leave, till next time—"
Scrimgeour's voice came from not far away, Percy nodded to William, who waved back,
"...Ah, what a coincidence."
At the next moment, William bowed his head, taking out a small oilcloth package from his pocket, as faint blue light filtered through. Sensing the pulse within, William ascended into the sky. Amidst a half breath later, a gigantic Thunderbird shot towards the heavens, metamorphosing into a streak of yellow lightning and vanished from sight—