The Auror exams at the British Ministry of Magic were very rigorous.
To become an Auror, one had to undergo three years of training after graduating from Hogwarts.
Candidates had to pass at least five NEWT courses, and their grades had to be no lower than "E".
In addition to academic requirements, Auror candidates also had to pass a criminal record background check and a rigorous character and aptitude test, as well as tests of stealth and disguise.
In the original story, Tonks had almost failed the test.
Not a single new Auror joined the team in the entire year of 1995!
The entire British Ministry of Magic had only a few dozen Aurors.
And the age range was extremely wide!
It could be said that whoever controlled the Auror Command controlled the fist of the Ministry of Magic!
Actually, it should have been a wand!
Fudge and his two companions arrived at the Auror headquarters.
The department office was not large, and most of the time, Aurors chose to carry out missions outside.
However, during this period, due to the lack of leadership at the command center, coupled with the news of the incident in the alley, the office staff were unusually all present.
A group of people were engaged in various activities: some were smoking, some were shouting, and some were engrossed in studying magic.
Everyone was looking out for themselves, and there was no semblance of order.
Upon seeing this, Umbridge coughed loudly a few times as a reminder.
Only then did the Aurors see that Fudge and the others had arrived.
"Minister, Director."
Fudge nodded: "You are all aware of what has happened during this time."
"Former Auror Chief Scrimgeour has committed an unforgivable crime and is about to be sent to Azkaban."
"But the Auror's mission cannot be suspended because of him alone."
"Recently, the Aurors' actions have shown no sign of order. Director Bones and I are here today to resolve this matter."
Upon hearing this, many Aurors' eyes lit up.
Fudge's meaning was quite clear.
Solving the Auror missions was exactly the Auror Director's job!
It seemed the position of Director of the Auror Department, which had been fiercely contested by the higher-ups, would be decided that day!
"After discussions between Director Bones and me, we have decided that you will vote to elect the Director of the Auror Department."
"Director Bones and I are only responsible for making recommendations."
As he spoke, his eyes glanced at Umbridge.
The other party tactfully placed a piece of parchment in front of everyone.
The list above contained several candidates recommended by Fudge and Amelia.
"Of course, in addition to the candidates recommended by me and Director Bones, you can also choose from among yourselves."
"The person with the highest number of votes will become the head of the Auror Department!"
To demonstrate his impartiality, Fudge added a further sentence.
Little did he know that this very sentence of his would dig a hole for himself!
The Aurors looked at each other, none of them daring to make the first move.
Fudge looked displeased and glanced at one of the blond men.
The blond man stepped forward, took out a piece of paper, wrote his name on it with a quill pen, folded it, and placed it on the table.
The name was naturally chosen from among the Fudge faction he was familiar with.
With his example, the others no longer hesitated and wrote down their notes and placed them on the table one after another.
In the crowd, a tall man with chestnut hair quietly scanned the area, his gaze meeting those of many others.
He nodded slightly.
In less than half an hour, everyone had chosen their preferred Director Auror.
The notes on the table were piled up like a mountain.
A bright smile spread across Fudge's face.
When these Aurors were writing their names, he noticed that, apart from his own people, many people's eyes were darting back and forth between the names they had chosen.
The strokes they used to write their names were also extremely similar to those of one of them!
If nothing unexpected happened, the position of Director Auror would surely be his!
Amelia was equally confident.
The Auror Department was, in any case, within the Department of Law Enforcement.
She had far more people in the Auror ranks than Fudge did.
She saw the reactions of the Aurors just now. So what if she saw a lot?
Looking and choosing were two different things!
Placing your hopes on something uncontrollable was itself a form of cowardice!
At least, their own base was much larger than Fudge's!
She really didn't know how Fudge had become Minister of Magic in the first place.
"Everyone has made their selections, so let's announce the results!"
"Umbridge, go…"
"Wait a moment!"
Just as Fudge was about to have Umbridge count the votes, Amelia interrupted him.
"I think that since the Aurors of the Auror Division are choosing the candidates themselves, it would be more appropriate for them to announce it themselves."
"What do you think, Minister Fudge?"
Her words clearly showed that she didn't trust Umbridge and was worried that she might secretly use some underhanded tactics.
In fact, Umbridge did have this idea in mind.
Feeling confident of victory, Fudge didn't care about any of that and said nonchalantly, "Director Bones is right, then..."
His gaze swept across the Aurors, finally settling on the girl with pink bubblegum hair.
"Tonks, you announce the results!"
"Huh? Me?"
Tonks didn't want to get involved in this bureaucratic mess, but she couldn't resist it.
She mumbled as she stepped forward.
She opened the first slip of paper and read out the name on it.
"Nepal Bosder."
After announcing it, she even showed the note to demonstrate that she hadn't misread it.
Amelia's lips curled up slightly.
This Nepal Bosder was one of her key subordinates. His strength was slightly inferior to that of Moody, Scrimgeour, and others, but he was still quite good.
He was a member of the Bourke family, one of the Sacred Twenty-Eight.
Umbridge glanced at Fudge and, noticing the other's unpleasant expression, dared not say anything more, trying her best to remain silent.
Although one vote couldn't prove anything, a good start was still a matter of pride.
Fudge naturally wanted to do his best in anything he could control.
Tonks had no idea about any of this; after reading one, she casually picked up the next one.
"Sean Scott!"
Upon hearing the name, Fudge's face lit up with a smile.
The next few, unsurprisingly, were all names of his subordinates.
This made him even more smug, and his gaze toward Amelia carried a hint of contempt.
Amelia's face turned grim.
If things continued like this, Fudge's people might actually take the position of Director Auror.
If Fudge actually got his hands on it, it would be like putting a big nail in his own territory.
The opponent's strength would be greatly expanded, and their influence in the Ministry of Magic would be further enhanced.
This was something she absolutely couldn't allow!
"Director Bones, don't forget, this is the proposal you put forward."
"As the Director of the Law Enforcement Division, surely you wouldn't break even this small promise?"
Fudge was in a great mood and couldn't help but make a joke.
Amelia scoffed, "This is only the beginning. Who will be chosen in the end is still uncertain!"
"Really? I have a feeling it's already decided?"
Fudge beamed, almost convinced that the Auror team was about to become a powerful weapon in his hands.
He had even begun to fantasize about the day when, with the help of the Auror Department, he would truly control the Ministry of Magic in the future.
But soon, he stopped laughing.
What happened next was far beyond his control...
...
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